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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 does Kincaid drop when he hugs Irwin after the death of Hugh?

2. Who finds the verses written between Uncle Marvin and Mary Jane?

3. Why have Irwin and Linda been unable to marry earlier in the novel?

4. What fellow draft dodger advises Everett about a potential return to the United States?

5. What event causes Everett to spiral into depression and misery in Book Five?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Everett's 211 page letter eventually reach Natasha?

2. Why does Major Keys think that Irwin is a difficult and stubborn case?

3. After going into hiding after burning his draft card, which event causes Everett to question his identity and value?

4. What tradition do Peter and Everett have that was inspired by the Glass brothers in Salinger's novel Franny & Zooey?

5. Why does Everett think Myshkin is a prodigy in literature and art?

6. How is Everett's attitude in regards to his imprisonment?

7. What does Laura plan to do at church in Chapter 8, and what ends up happening instead?

8. When Irwin is released from the hospital in Book Six, what is his condition?

9. What does Everett send to Irwin as a "homeopathic dose of sanity and antidote to Army Brain" in Book Five?

10. What causes Winnifred, or Freddy, to become upset at Sunday School with Mrs. Babcock and to begin quoting Muhammad?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In The Brothers K a lot of focus is given to the issues of right versus wrong. Using specific characters and situations, discuss how Duncan highlights this dichotomy and specifically how the idea of right versus wrong relates to good versus evil.

Essay Topic 2

In the novel there are several figures that could serve as the archetypal "hero" figure. Using specific examples from the text, identify one character that could be considered a hero archetype and describe how Duncan demonstrates this in the novel. Be sure to discuss whether or not Duncan is effective. Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

One of the strongest literary tools employed by Duncan in The Brothers K is the use of paradox and irony. Give examples of where Duncan has employed verbal or situational irony and discuss in detail how this use of irony has furthered the plot, developed characters, or strengthened a theme.

(see the answer keys)

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