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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 does H.G. Talbot's shirt fit Marlowe?

2. What is Degarmo's status with the police at the time of the murder Marlowe is framed for?

3. When Marlowe awakes, what does he reek of?

4. What expression is on Patton's face when Marlowe says Degarmo knows Marlowe has already proved Mrs. Kingsley innocent?

5. What does the cop Eddie who responds to Marlowe's call have behind his ear?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Marlowe call to verify where Kingsley has gone, once he guesses where it is?

2. What is the big coincidence that Marlowe identifies in the case?

3. How does the desk sergeant annoy Degarmo?

4. After leaving the crime scene, what does Degarmo try to convince the other police officer?

5. What does Degarmo do when Patton makes it clear that he can't let Degarmo go?

6. According to Marlowe, why did Muriel Chess have an affair with Lavery?

7. What does Marlowe notice happening on the street as he tries to talk to Mrs. Talley?

8. What is the reaction of the younger policeman, Eddie, when he sees the gun on the table?

9. Who is in the Peacock Lounge when Marlowe comes in?

10. What does the parking attendant at the Grenada assume Marlowe is there for?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Marlowe's job puts him into dangerous situations. Discuss danger in the novel.

1) What causes danger in the novel? How is danger inherent in Marlowe's work?

2) How does Marlowe react to dangerous situations? What are his emotional responses? What are his intellectual responses, and what action does he take?

3) How do the antagonists in the novel react when they are in danger?

Essay Topic 2

Through Marlowe's association with crime, he naturally is associated with police and law enforcers. Discuss the police and law enforcers in the novel.

1) What different sides are there to police and law enforcement in the novel, both positive and negative?

2) How does Marlowe relate to the police in the novel? What is his relationship with law enforcement like?

3) Discuss specific officers of the law in the novel, including Patton, Degarmo, Webber, and uniformed police Marlowe deals with. How do they perceive their jobs? How do they deal with the multifaceted nature of law enforcement?

Essay Topic 3

The mystery in the novel is created through deception. Discuss deception in the novel.

1) How are appearances deceptive in the novel? How does Marlowe deal with and untangle deceptive appearances?

2) How do characters in the novel deceive each other? What are the motives for deceit?

3) In what ways is Marlowe deceptive? Why? Is deception merely an ethically neutral tool, or is it a bad thing?

(see the answer keys)

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