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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 do Tony and Hank both end up in jail after they leave the restaurant?

2. As Hank heads to campus after the call about the dead bird, he thinks about his father-in-law. What are his feelings about his father-in-law?

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

4. What does Hank find out about Meg Quigley that surprises him?

5. What is Hank surprised about, when he finally sees his father?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Where do the professors gather for a party for Tony? Why are they having a party for him?

3. When Hank gets to his office the morning the goose is found hanging in the tree,, what emotional state is his secretary in? Why is this?

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

5. Hank goes back to his office after seeing his mother on the street. What happens to him there and what does he immediately do?

6. After Hank's calls from Lou and Teddy, Hank heads to campus but stops at the diner first. Who does he meet there and what does this individual tell Hank?

7. After going to his own office and speaking to his secretary, Hank heads to the Dean's (Jacob Rose) office. What does Hank do there and what kind of response does he get?

8. After Hank leaves his doctor's office, what are the series of events that ensue that involve his mother?

9. On Monday morning, Hank gets a call from Lou Steinmetz. What is Lou's job and what does he ask Hank about? Who calls Hank right after Lou? What does he tell Hank?

10. What is Lily doing now? What project had Jacob Rose submitted that Lily and Hank got a grant for?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is "creative license"? When is it commonly used? When should it not be used? In what instances, giving examples, is it permissible to use it in fiction? Cite three examples from "Straight Man" where you believe creative license was used.

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

The setting refers to the time and the place where a story takes place. Compare and contrast the settings of "Straight Man" regarding time. How does it compare to the childhood he describes in the Epilogue to Book One? Cite at least three examples from the book where Russo discusses how the setting, in reference to time, has changed.

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