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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 long did Goolrick spend high, having random anonymous sexual encounters before he was suicidal?

2. What therapy does the other person endure in the hospital?

3. To what is Goolrick addicted?

4. What does Goolrick note about the young man in the glass room?

5. What did Goolrick read to his brother's wife in the church?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain what Goolrick means when he talks about the mystery of how most people carry on.

2. Describe the dinner at Judy Judy's, including her collection, and the food, as well as the people attending.

3. Explain what Goolrick meant when he said "things took on a magical quality" (pg 104).

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

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

6. Describe the situation when Goolrick tried to help his mother with a wound on her elbow.

7. Describe Goolrick's parents as he describes them by the end of the chapter.

8. Describe the event with mother's blue and green striped dress.

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

10. Explain why Goolrick is somewhat of a star in the hospital.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Goolrick's experiences with female lovers to his experiences with male lovers. Be sure to include not only the primary lovers, but also those obscure lovers Goolrick mentions throughout the novel, such as the girl next door and the boy who practiced sex on him. How did he feel about his male lovers? His female lovers? What do you think caused these differences? Do you think Goolrick is homosexual, bisexual, or merely a sexual deviant as a result of his experiences?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following characters who was aware of the molestation of Goolrick and discuss, in detail, how the character knew, how they reacted, what they should have done, and possible reasons for their behaviors. This examination is to be in depth. Use information gleaned not only from "Such Charming Hands" but from the explanations in the rest of the novel of the person's everyday characteristics.

-Father

-Mother

-Grandmother

-Goolrick

Essay Topic 3

In addition to Goolrick's sexual deviancy, he also developed a severe drinking and drug habit, and eventually, a cutting habit. Explain these addictions in detail. What events led to the origin of the addiction. What feelings did Goolrick associate with the behavior? How did this lead to an addiction? How did the cutting help Goolrick feel as though he were in control? Do you think Goolrick can ever regain control of his emotions and his life? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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