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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. What part of this student's anatomy did Hank's father coo to as his knees buckled and he had to be helped down from the lectern?

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

3. Hank describes his father as leaving the family. What is one reason he left the family?

4. When Hank finally arrives home with his wife and father-in-law, what sad news does he learn?

5. After talking to his excited secretary, who appears at Hank's office door demanding to know if he killed the murdered bird?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. When Hank finally goes to see his father in his new house in Railton, what is Hank's reaction? How does he react to what his father says about the writer Charles Dickens?

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

4. What does Mr. Purty tell Hank about his father? What is Hank's reaction?

5. What has happened to Hank's father and mother, according to the Epilogue?

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

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

8. What happened to Devereaux Sr. not long after arriving at his new post?

9. The morning after Hank and Tony end up in the same place, what does Hank find when he heads home? What does he do instead? What does he find out?

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

In reference to the organization (plot) of "Straight Man":

(1) Why are the events of the novel arranged as they are?

(2) What moves the narrative along? Is it external action or internal conflicts? Or is it a combination of both? Support your answer with examples.

Essay Topic 2

Cite four examples for both exposition and rising action from the novel. What is the balance of these two elements in Straight Man? Is there too much of one at the expense of the other? If so, describe the balance of the two.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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