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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. How many hands are in Goolrick's hallucination about suicide?

2. What does the psychiatrist say about addicts?

3. What was mother's table always covered in?

4. What kind of coat did mother have that she was proud of?

5. Where did Goolrick meet the male lover he discusses in "Summer of our Suicides"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the circumstances that led to brother's CAT scan which revealed the aneurysm.

2. Describe the game Goolrick and his brother used to play as children, and the consequences.

3. Explain how the patients beat the addicts in volleyball.

4. Describe Goolrick's relationship with his female lover.

5. Describe how Goolrick's friend attempted suicide.

6. Describe the environment Goolrick experienced as a child.

7. Explain why Goolrick's sister-in-law claims to hate him.

8. Explain why Goolrick is surprised at his emotions following his father's death.

9. Describe how mother came to own a mink coat.

10. Describe Goolrick's state of mind at this point in the novel.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Goolrick's mother, according to Goolrick in "The End of the World as We Know It," seemed to blame him for the molestation, as though he had done something to deserve it, or had somehow asked for it. Do you think this is merely how Goolrick felt, or do you think she actually felt this way? Why? How did she show her feelings for Goolrick, according to his statements in the rest of the novel? Was she kind, horrific, or both, and why? Be sure to use examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

In "A Persistence of Song," Goolrick notes that he writes the novel with the hope that he can save one child from molestation. Do you think Goolrick's novel has the power to impact someone enough not to rape a child? Why or why not? Do you think the pain Goolrick's suffers in the novel is enough to convince a pedophile that their actions are not only inappropriate, but that they can ruin a life? Why? Do you think an alcoholic parent might take a moment to think about their actions with their children after reading this book?

Essay Topic 3

Describe, in detail, the life Goolrick had growing up. What was the environment like? What was society like? What were his parents, and how did they behave? What priorities did his family have? Do you think any of these things contributed to Goolrick's problems later in his life? How? Do you think his parents were solely responsible for his issues? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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