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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. When Vicki returns home at the end of "3 Chickens," what does she discover?

2. Why is Joe unable to commit suicide after his paper folds?

3. Who is Sanchez?

4. What is the name of Joe and Cherry's underground newspaper?

5. To what animal does Bukowski compare Cass's body?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe operations at Joe and Cherry's newspaper.

2. Who is Kid Stardust and what is his purpose?

3. Why does Bukowski blame himself for Cass's suicide?

4. For what reasons is Bukowski satisfied with being evicted at the end of "3 Women?"

5. What are the "3 Chickens" and what purpose do they serve in this story?

6. Of what is Henry warned and how are these warnings dismissed in "Six Inches?"

7. What are the conditions of the charity ward?

8. Why do Sanchez and Kaakaa take Bukowski in during "Ten Jack-offs?"

9. Who is Kathy and what is her relationship to Bukowski?

10. Describe Bukowski's life with Linda in "3 Women."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does gambling play in Bukowski's stories? For what reasons does he view gambling as a chance to continually begin again? Why is it significant that he references betting on horses in many of his stories? How does he connect sex to gambling? How is this related to Bukowski's motivations in life? Develop a clear thesis statement around which to build this essay and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Compose an essay about Bukowski's style of writing focusing on either his dialogue, his characterizations, or his ability to evoke a certain mood in a story. Be sure to develop a strong thesis statement around which the essay will be built. Discuss the technical aspects of his style and how it informs the rest of the story, as well as his ability to write himself into his own work. Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Why does Bukowski write primarily about people who live on the outskirts of society? What does this suggest about his personal relationship to society? How is this reflected in stories such as "All the Great Writers" and "The Birth, Life, and Death of an Underground Newspaper?" What are some ways that Bukowski allows his writing to infuse poetry into places and people from whom it might not be ordinarily expected? How is this a reflection upon not only Bukowski's skills, but his views on society?

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