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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. In A Quiet Conversation Piece, who does Bukowski sit with?

2. What does Bukowski's friend in A Quiet Conversation Piece study to be?

3. In A Quiet Conversation Piece, what does his friend believe the United States needs?

4. What does the desk clerk tell Frank?

5. How does Bukowski think of his conversation with his friend in A Quiet Conversation Piece?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Cunt and Kant and a Happy Home, describe the highs and lows of Jack Hendley's horse races.

2. What does the narrator say he will require of his creative writing students in Goodbye Watson?

3. How is the foreman in Love it or Leave it cruel?

4. What is Harry driven by in Reunion?

5. What does Bukowski realize in the jail cell in No Stockings?

6. Describe the town in An Evil Town.

7. What does Bukowski think of revolution in contrast to Maxie in A Quiet Conversation Piece?

8. What is the fan's fault in thinking, according to Bukowski in Great Poets Die in Steaming Pots of Shit?

9. How do pain and violence play a role in Nut Ward East of Hollywood?

10. What is Bukowski's primal desire in Rape! Rape!, and how does he reveal it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Animal Crackers in My Soup" has an abrupt and somewhat unusual conclusion. What happens in the conclusion? What does the baby represent? Why does the story end the way it does? Make sure you answer each question with evidence and support from the story.

Essay Topic 2

"An Evil Town" displays many acts of filth or "evil" with one seemingly righteous character seeing it all. Does Frank Evans turn out to be as righteous as he seems? Why or why not? Which act of hypocrisy is the strongest? Make sure you answer each question with evidence and support from the story.

Essay Topic 3

"The Stupid Christs" is one of a few short stories in the collection that has a discernible beginning, middle, and end that make up the plot. What kind of progress does Dan make through the plot of the story? What changes, and what doesn't change? What themes are associated with each section of the plot (beginning, middle, and end)? Make sure you answer each question with evidence and support from the story.

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This section contains 714 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample