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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. Reuven Malter’s home is described as what in Chapter 5?

2. When was Shabbtai Zvi born?

3. Where does Reuven Malter’s father spend much of his time at home in Chapter 5?

4. Reuven Malter is told that he will be released from the hospital when in Chapter 4?

5. Danny Saunders explains to Reuven in Chapter 8 that he wants to read Freud but first must learn what in order to read his original writings?

Short Essay Questions

1. What historical figure does David Malter compare Danny Saunders to in Chapter 6? How is this individual’s influence on Judaism described?

2. What is demonstrated by Danny’s interests in psychoanalysis in the novel?

3. What is significant about Danny’s and Reuven’s aspirations within their synagogues in Chapter 3?

4. How is Reuven’s relationship with his father illustrated in Chapter 3?

5. How does the challenging baseball team appear to Reuven’s teammates in Chapter 1?

6. What is indicated by David Malter’s discussion of Dov Baer in Chapter 8?

7. What is foreshadowed through Reuven’s inner thoughts and considerations returning home from the hospital in Chapter 5?

8. What is indicated by David Malter’s description of the fortunate and unfortunate in Chapter 4?

9. How is Danny Saunders described in Chapter 1? What is Danny’s apparel like? Where does he live?

10. What is the implication when Reuven’s eyes are tested in the light in Chapter 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss F.D.R., Albert Einstein and Tchaikovsky. Why does the author choose to mention each of these individuals as heroes to the protagonist? What is each individual’s historical significance?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the ambitions of Reuven and Danny in Chapter 3. How do these ambitions foreshadow conflict in the novel? Why is it surprising that Danny is interested in psychology?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the characters of Mr. Savo, Billy Merritt and Mr. Galanter. What are Reuven’s impressions of each of these individuals? How do they each influence Reuven as a character? What do they each represent symbolically in the narrative?

(see the answer keys)

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