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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 religion of Bukowski's coworkers in "Kid Stardust on the Porterhouse?"

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

3. Because of a huge win at the racetracks, at what hotel does Bukowski rent a luxury room?

4. When Bukowski closes the folding bed into the wall in "3 Chickens," what injury does Vicki sustain?

5. How many times did Sanchez have to retake the picture to get it just right?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Bukowski throw away the newspaper clippings at the end of "Life in a Texas Whorehouse?"

2. Describe Bukowski's job and why he quits.

3. What are some of Sanchez's hobbies and talents in "Ten Jack-offs?"

4. How does Bukowski find Gloria Westhaven?

5. What is Tanya's purpose, according to Von Brashlitz, and why does she rebel?

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

7. Why does Cass self-mutilate?

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

9. How does Henry survive after killing Sarah with a hat pin?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role of fantasy in the stories by Bukowski in the following format:

Part 1) Bukowski's method of dealing with the meat-packing plant.

Part 2) Tony and Bill's feelings about their stolen body.

Part 3) Blanchard's obsession with the little girl.

Part 4) The narrator's sexual encounter with the prostitute in "Trouble with a Battery."

Part 5) Bukowski's attempts to write in "Twelve Flying Monkeys Who Won't Copulate Properly."

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the objectification of women in Bukowski's stories in the following format:

Part 1) Cass from "The Most Beautiful Woman in Town."

Part 2) Tanya from "The Fuck Machine."

Part 3) The body from "The Copulating Mermaid of Venice, California."

Part 4) The prostitute from "Trouble with a Battery."

Part 5) The prostitute from "The White Beard."

Develop a strong thesis statement and cite specific examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

In what ways does Bukowski connect homosexuality with success? What is significant about his respect for the people who are openly homosexual? Despite this, what is Bukowski's own relationship with homosexuality? Why does it seem to make him uncomfortable? Consider how this is reflected in the following stories: "The Gut-Wringing Machine," "The Day We Talked About James Thurber," and "The Murder of Ramon Vasquez."

(see the answer keys)

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