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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 do they first find cancer in Hugh?

2. What does Irwin send to his mother when he believes he will not be coming home from Vietnam?

3. What beverage does Hugh instruct Laura to serve the ballplayers at his wake?

4. Why does Peter change from third class trains to first class compartments in his travels through India?

5. For what sport does Irwin leave baseball?

Short Essay Questions

1. What position does Ty Daniels and the rest of the Portland Tug team take towards Hugh when he throws his last wild pitch and leaves the team?

2. Why does Hugh go to Elder Babcock's house in Book Five?

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

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

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

6. How does Natasha respond to Everett's public debate with Dr. Gurtzner?

7. What secret about Linda does Bet reveal to Kincaid in Book Five?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Duncan utilizes the literary device of hyperbole extensively throughout The Brothers K. Using at least three textual examples, describe how Duncan uses hyperbole, how it contributes to characterizations or pacing, and whether or not it is effective.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout The Brothers K, Duncan uses imagery as a metaphor for the plot and character development. Give three specific examples of these metaphors and how they relate specific actions in the plot and/or character development. Discuss why or why not they are effective as literary tools augmenting the general action.

(see the answer keys)

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