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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Hank upset with his mother about Mr. Purty picking up his father and his things?

2. What does Hank's doctor tell him about his urinary problem?

3. When did Hank's father discover he couldn't lecture anymore?

4. What possessions of Hank's father does Mr. Purty also bring back with him?

5. How does Hank react to the dean's suggestion about a career move for Hank?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Hank's Prologues to Book One and Two about, and where are they published? What is his mother's reaction to his writing?

2. How did Devereaux Sr. attempt to cope with his problem?

3. Why was Hank's father offered such a desirable position?

4. In the Epilogue, what does Hank tell the readers he is now doing?

5. What happens after Tony and Hank leave the restaurant? Where do they both end up?

6. Russell goes along to the party for Tony, and tries to get Tony's computer to work, without success. While this is going on, a large group of the professors get stuck in the room, and cannot seem to be able to figure out how to get out. What is Hank's observation on this?

7. What deal did Hank's father accept after the "dog incident" that Hank related in his first article? According to his son, what made this a very attractive offer for William Henry Devereaux, Sr.?

8. What happens while Hank is up in the office building ceiling?

9. What is the result of Hank's visit to his doctor's office? What does the doctor, Phil Watson, tell him?

10. Hank heads to campus after Lou and Teddy's calls, and on his way passes his daughter Julie's house. He starts to think about his wife's call. What did she tell him about her father? How does Hank feel about his father-in-law?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

State the theme of "Straight Man". How is the theme of the story reflected in the conflicts and challenges Hank Devereaux experiences during one week at Railton College? Give four examples with an explanation for each one.

Essay Topic 2

For the better part of the novel, Hank seems to be suffering what is popularly known as mid-life crisis. What actions and reactions of Hank's show that he might be having a crisis of identity? Explain where this crisis of identity might arise from.

Essay Topic 3

Dialogue often serves to reveal characters and their traits, as well as events. It is often used as an alternative to exposition. How is dialogue used as a literary technique to move a narrative along, and specifically how is it utilized in Straight Man? Cite, in detail, one example of how dialogue is used effectively in the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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