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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. At the beginning of "3 Women," what happens to the tenant upstairs?

2. How many sisters does Cass have?

3. Where do the women go the morning after Bukowski has slept with each of them in "3 Women?"

4. How long have Bagley and Danforth worked together?

5. Why is Bukowski touched by Gloria Westhaven when she gets off the bus in Texas?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Borst and his living situation.

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

3. Why does Bukowski buy cigarettes for Harry in "Life and Death in the Charity Ward?"

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

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

6. What are the conditions of the charity ward?

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

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

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

10. Describe the events that lead up to Tanya's demise.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the role of beauty in "The Most Beautiful Woman in Town." What is significant about Cass's attractiveness and her attempts to deflect from it? What is important about her attraction to Bukowski? How does Bukowski feel about Cass? How does her suicide reflect the disconnect between appreciating her looks and detesting them all at once? How is Bukowski able to reconcile his opinions on attractiveness? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast "The Fiend" and "The Murder of Ramon Vasquez." What are some of the similar themes that Bukowski explores in each of these stories? Why is it significant that Blanchard of the former and Lincoln of the latter are very different from each other? How does this relate to Bukowski's disclaimer at the beginning of "The Murder of Ramon Vasquez?" Why does Bukowski find it important to explore these darker themes? How does Bukowski see both of these stories as a reflection upon society?

(see the answer keys)

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