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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 what city did Ray go to have a swim and some food over a nice wood fire in the sand?

2. How many couples are at the party at Sean and Christine's house?

3. What was the name of the truck driver Ray rode with all the way up to Crescent City because the driver said he was lonely and wanted the company?

4. What does Ray find outside of his cabin in the morning that makes him wonder if anyone can spot anything?

5. Where does Ray hitchhike to after leaving his mother's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rheinhold Cacoethes do during the going away party for Japhy?

2. For how long does Ray continue to meditate in the woods?

3. What does Ray's brother-in-law think about his time in the woods and in the house?

4. How does Ray get from El Paso to Los Angeles?

5. How does Ray help his mother and her illness?

6. For how long do Japhy and Ray stay away from the party on their hike?

7. What does Ray dream about when he is sleeping during the night after Japhy and he begin their hike?

8. What does a local confide to Ray when the two become drunk together?

9. Where is Ray's lookout location to be situated?

10. What does Japhy do with his girlfriend who tries to board the boat with him to Japan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One might say the sexualized descriptions of the women in this story are an indication of Kerouac's own feelings about women and his own perceptions of women.

Part 1: Describe the female characters who are introduced in this novel.

Part 2: What are the motivations of these women, as one can tell from reading about their actions? What does this say about the author's feelings about women?

Part 3: Which female character is the most important to the story? Why?

Essay Topic 2

In a sense, one could say that Japhy and Ray are 'fighting' a war against the traditional culture and the way 'normal' people live their lives.

Part 1: Describe the culture Japhy and Ray want to oppose in the way they live their lives.

Part 2: Why do Japhy and Ray oppose the way one particular class lives their lives?

Part 3: What do you think Japhy and Ray see as the best possible way of living one's life?

Essay Topic 3

The characters of Ray and Japhys could not be more alike or more different from each others, creating an interesting interplay in the story itself.

Part 1: Describe the character of Ray as he is portrayed in the story.

Part 2: Describe the character of Japhys as he is portrayed in the story.

Part 3: Which character seems to have nobler intentions, as Buddhism warrants? Why did you choose the character you did?

(see the answer keys)

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