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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 Laramie resident states in Act 2 that he believes if this “had been a heterosexual these two boys decided to take out and rob, this never would have made national news”?

2. Who was the bartender at the Fireside Bar on the night that Matthew Shepard was killed?

3. Catherine Connolly states that the arraignment took place on what day of the week in Act 2?

4. What is the name of Romaine Patterson’s sister in The Laramie Project?

5. Who describes the day of Matthew Shepard’s funeral in the beginning of “Moment: Snow” in Act 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. What external conflicts are established among the citizens of Laramie in the play?

2. What story is related by Reggie Fluty in “Moment: Seeing Matthew” of Act 2?

3. How is The Laramie Project structured?

4. What historical incident sparked the gay-rights movement in the United States?

5. What regrets do the citizens of Laramie express in Act 2?

6. How is the phrase “Live and let live” used for contrast in the play?

7. How does Kaufman use juxtaposition to create emotion in the audience in Act 2?

8. What question is left open-ended regarding the murder of Matthew Shepard in the play?

9. How is prejudice defined? What role does it play in The Laramie Project?

10. What follows the funeral of Matthew Shepard in Act 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the media frenzy surrounding the attack on Matthew Shepard, and define and discuss sensationalism, dramatic conflict, and controversy. What conflicts are introduced to the narrative of the play with the introduction of the media? What impressions do these different journalists give of the town of Laramie and its residents? How do these impressions coincide with those depicted in the play?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the contemporary setting of Laramie, Wyoming. How many residents are there in Laramie? How does it relate to other cities and towns in America? What are the demographics of the town? What is the nearest “big city” to Laramie?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson. How old were McKinney and Henderson at the time of Matthew Shepard’s murder? What impressions did they have on the people of the town? Who liked these individuals? Why? Who disliked them?

(see the answer keys)

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