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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. Where is Boots' band scheduled to perform?

2. How might the relationship between Mrs. Chandler and Lutie be described?

3. How does Bub feel about the school lunches?

4. Why does Min's visit to David go so well?

5. While in Connecticut, what valuable lesson does Lutie learn?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Lutie refuse to wear the blouse crushed by Jones?

2. Jones becomes enraged when he looks at Bub and imagines that the boy resembles his father. Why do you think this is?

3. How does Jones's decision to kick Min out after visiting Lutie's apartment reflect his mental instability?

4. Chapter 2 introduces Mrs. Pizzini as the character who provides a letter of reference for Lutie. Mrs. Pizzini shares some advice with Lutie about the effects of working while raising a family: "It's best that the man do the work when the babies are young. And when the man is young. Not good for the woman to work when she's young. Not good for the man." Why does Lutie originally brush Mrs. Pizzini off and then later recall the advice over and over again?

5. Why has Lutie failed, up until Chapter 9, to consider that Bub might be afraid of staying home alone?

6. How does Min's relationship with Jones reflect the relationships in her past?

7. The author paints Jones as an obsessive character. He snoops around Lutie's apartment fantasizing about her and bothering her possessions. What does this behavior seem to foreshadow?

8. Lutie leaves the butcher shop and is in light spirits. As she walks home, she notices that the women are burdened by marketing bags and on their way home to take care of their families after a long day of work. She also notes that the men lounge around watching the women. How does Lutie feels about this distinction?

9. Lutie slaps Bub when she sees him with a shoe shining kit. Why does a shoe shining kit inspire such rage in Lutie?

10. Considering Lutie's failed marriage and Jim's inability to provide for his family, what sort of future does Boots offers Lutie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Street presents the reader with several conflicted characters--characters who exhibit both honorable and deplorable qualities. Consider the characters and their conflicting qualities. It may be helpful to outline your ideas. Once you've completed the outline, write a brief essay analyzing these characters. In addition, give your opinion on Petry's choice to employ such characters.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the male characters and the female characters in The Street. How do their roles in the novel differ? Specifically, how do their roles within the family, community (The Street), and greater world diverge? What qualities do both genders possess, if any? How have these differences developed according to the novel's characters? For example, how does Lutie explain the differences between the sexes? Use the text to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

At the book's end, Lutie makes the decision to abandon her son. In her mind, she will be of no use to Bub as a murderer. Bub, who has been the center of her concern for the entire book, is suddenly and seemingly dismissed. As a reader, was this an action you could have predicted? If so, which of Lutie's qualities led you to believe she was capable of this type of behavior? If not, do you think this behavior is believable? Has the author acted within the limits of the character's personality?

(see the answer keys)

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