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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 state is Ray's summer job as a fire lookout?

2. Who argues with the answer to #128 about her upcoming marriage?

3. Who accuses Ray of drinking too much?

4. What was the name of Japhy's girlfriend that tries to go to Japan with him?

5. Who offers snide comments about other writers and poets?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. As Japhy and Ray catch up a bit, what does Ray seem to feel about Japhy's demeanor?

3. How does Ray get from Los Angeles to San Francisco as he searches for Japhy's shack?

4. What does Ray do as he stays in the shack behind Sean and Christine's home?

5. What is the vision Ray has in the fog while at Desolation Peak?

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

7. What does Ray want to do when Japhy suggests they go to the lecture and discussion session?

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

9. What do Ray and Japhy do when they begin to get bored of the party?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea of sexuality is one that is explored at different points of the story, but Ray's own feelings about sexuality seem to be conflicted.

Part 1: How does Ray respond to the idea of the yabyum idea? Does his reaction seem to fall in line with its definition or with his own sense of lust and longing?

Part 2: Ray seems to practice celibacy in most of the story, preferring to avoid sexual contact altogether. Is this a moralistic choice of a defense mechanism? Why do you say what you do?

Part 3: What does the story as a whole seem to say about sex? Is it a good thing? A bad thing? Spiritual? Abhorrent?

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 suicide of Rosie is a tragic part of this story, though it seems to be a necessary evil within the story as well.

Part 1: Describe the circumstances of Rosie's suicide.

Part 2: Who might be to blame for her suicide? Who might have been able to stop her?

Part 3: What are the consequences of Rosie's suicide?

(see the answer keys)

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