View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. After botching the first lecture, Hank's father was confident he could return to the classroom and lecture again. What was the name of the student that was last on the roll?

2. After Hank climbs down from the ceiling, what does he do?

3. In the Epilogue, what does Hank's wife tell them they have enough of?

4. Who replaces Hank as chair of the English department?

5. How does Hank compare the faculty cocktail party and the university classroom?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Hank go after he visits Paul Bourke's place? What happens there that upsets Hank?

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

3. 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?

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

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

6. What does Hank notice as he leaves his mother in front of the Victorian house?

7. How does Hank sneak out of the building after his time in the ceiling? Who does he meet and what ensues?

8. 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?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hank seems to suppress anger during most the novel, but at times his anger and frustration do surface. Cite three examples of Hank's anger, and what transpires as a result.

Essay Topic 2

What role does the Devereaux family play in the novel "Straight Man"? Are they as important to the narrative as the author and the environment he is in? Give four examples where the four different members of the family are central to the story-telling. Give four examples where the narrative is focused only on Hank and the environment he works in.

Essay Topic 3

How are Hank's father and mother characterized in the Prologue? As the novel progresses, how does their relationship with Hank follow the same patterns as it did when he was a child?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,265 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample