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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. How much money does Mason give Ainsworth Hockley?

2. What word does Jeff cry out after throwing the husband and wife down the stairwell?

3. Who stars in the movie that the narrator of "Trouble with a Battery" tries to discuss with the prostitute?

4. How does Ramon Vasquez die?

5. What is Jeff and Bukowski's favorite bar?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Ginny?

2. How does Bukowski force the police to leave in "My Big-Assed Mother?"

3. What does Charlie leave Marie?

4. What happens when Bukowski decides to not correct the visitors' assumption that he himself is Andre?

5. Describe the ironic encounter between Mason and the waiter at the end of "All the Great Writers."

6. What is significant about the U.S.S. Pueblo?

7. Who are some of the famous writers discussed in "The Day We Talk About James Thurber" and why?

8. Why does Madge first take Bukowski to Hollywood Park?

9. Why does Bukowski refuse to acquaint himself with Gramercy Edwards in "A Drinking Partner?"

10. What is significant about the prostitute's brother in "Trouble with a Battery?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the depictions of artists and their work in Bukowski's stories in the following format:

Part 1) Andre's success and Bukowski's envy.

Part 2) Crazy Jack and Borst.

Part 3) Mason's opinions on artists, including Bukowski.

Part 4) The writer's block.

Part 5) Sanchez's photography and writing.

Develop a clear thesis statement and specific examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Bukowski's fixation on bodily functions in the following format:

Part 1) Sex with many different partners.

Part 2) His anal fixation.

Part 3) The effects of long-term whiskey consumption.

Part 4) Sarah's use of Henry from "Six Inches."

Part 5) The premature aging of the hard-living.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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