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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 is the name of the ranger station where Ray arrives for his assignment?

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

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

4. Who is the character that remains calm throughout the arguments referred to in #130?

5. Who do the men around him tell stories of when they realize who Ray knows?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Ray and Japhy do to help out Sean as he is providing accommodations for the both of them?

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

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

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

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

6. What does Ray refuse to do at a wild party at Sean and Christine's house?

7. Why does Japhy want to introduce Ray to some friends at a lecture and discussion session?

8. What does Ray realize as he settles into his position in the middle of the woods?

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

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

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

There are many symbolic actions in this story that seem to tell the reader more about the character than the narrative actually does.

Part 1: What might be the symbolism of Ray going up the mountain with Japhy? What is the purpose of this trip?

Part 2: What is the purpose and the symbolism of Ray going up Desolation Peak by himself?

Part 3: What does Japhy's eventual journey to Japan seem to symbolize about his growth and his direction in life?

(see the answer keys)

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