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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 is the review about that Dennis finds an article on in Sir Francis' sock drawer?

2. Where is Sir Francis' body?

3. What does Sir Francis' immediate supervisor tell him to do?

4. What does Dennis hear in the room where he is led?

5. What did Dennis do in World War II?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sir Francis learn when he next arrives at the studio?

2. How does Dennis compare his present job with his time in Italy?

3. What does the recording say about the Church of St. Peter-without-the-walls in Oxford?

4. With what makeover is Sir Francis having difficulty?

5. What does Aimée think of Mr. Joyboy's work?

6. What does Aimée do to Sir Francis?

7. What was the pinnacle of Sir Francis' life?

8. What does Mr. Joyboy say about working on infants?

9. Who arrives and what does he say to Sir Francis?

10. Why is Mr. Schultz displeased with Dennis and how does Dennis try to convince Mr. Schultz to feel otherwise?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Waugh has begun to build a devastating picture of the callousness of life in Los Angeles. The colleagues of Sir Francis are probably right that he killed himself because his contract was not renewed, which is a sad commentary on the poverty of his life; without the job, he had nothing for which to live. The bluster of Sir Ambrose at the Cricket Club is transparently self-serving, as he extracts himself from doing any work to arrange the funeral of his supposed friend. Instead, he talks about getting high-profile Hollywood people to attend the service, because that will make the British film community look good. The soullessness of these characters would be depressing if they were not such ridiculous figures.

1. Explain how a person's job might become so important that she or he would kill her/himself if the job is lost. Include what you think that might say about a person's life. Use examples from The Loved One and your own life to support your answer.

2. Explain, in depth, Sir Ambrose's behavior in the context of the cliche: keeping up with the Jones. Use examples from The Loved One and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think that extreme self-interest and callousness is the norm in America society? Why or why not? Include thoughts on where this type of behavior might be learned by children. Use examples from The Loved One and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of narcissism in The Loved One. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters seem most narcissistic? Why? What are some symbols of narcissism? What are some of the behaviors of narcissism?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of denial in The Loved One. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to be in some sort of denial? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in The Loved One. Consider not only the death of humans and animals but the comments the author makes on the ritual of death in America.

Essay Topic 3

The two British men who work in Hollywood discussing how to recast the image of an actress named Juanita del Pablo is a scathing commentary on the disingenuous and manipulative nature of the Hollywood star-making system. After Sir Ambrose leaves and Dennis goes to work, it becomes clear that his job is at a pet cemetery. The services for a dead dog that he offers to its owners are a parody of human burial rites. The husband is willing to do whatever Dennis considers to be the most socially acceptable thing, showing that his interest is not in his pet but in what his peers might think of him.

1. Do you think the Hollywood system of star making is disingenuous and manipulative? Discuss, in depth, why or why not. Use examples from The Loved One and your own life to support your answer.

2. If everyone would know that the film system of making stars is false and manipulative, why do you think the general public still falls for the manipulation and supports the system? Use examples from The Loved One and your own life to support your answer.

3. How much of behavior in America do you think is based on doing what is socially acceptable? What types of behaviors might these be? Use examples from The Loved One and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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