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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 kind of coat did mother have that she was proud of?

2. What are the two wings in the insane asylum?

3. What does the family pretend Mother is dying from, to avoid reality?

4. What caused Goolrick to end his relationship with his male lover?

5. What was mother known for?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the environment Goolrick experienced as a child.

2. Explain who Sam Weller is, and what happens to him.

3. Describe the area where Mother and Father are buried.

4. Explain the situation when Teddy calls.

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

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

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

8. Explain Goolrick's initial reaction to his friend's attempt, and his later reactions.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the time of her death, Goolrick spent hours driving back and forth from home to the hospital in order to spend time with his mother. When no one else would go, Goolrick went, making sure to deliver news, as needed. When his mother was actually dying, however, Goolrick left her alone, and he claims he does not know why. Knowing what you know about Goolrick and his mother's relationship, why do you think Goolrick left his mother to die alone in a hospital? Do you think he did it out of spite, fear, anger, or was it simply an unconscious decision? Be sure to base your answer on information from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Foreshadowing is used heavily in the novel, as Goolrick flips between historical memory and current fact to weave together his painful memoir. Choose three examples of foreshadowing, and discuss them in depth in terms of how they were used to indicate what was to come later in the novel.

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)

This section contains 1,045 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample