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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 does Duke wish to do with Ginny for the long-term?

2. What is Bukowski's opinion about the people in charge in "Politics is like Trying to Screw a Cat in the Ass?"

3. According to the U.S. State Department, what protects American citizens?

4. What is Bukowski's alias in "A Lovely Love Affair?"

5. According to Bukowski, he is twenty-nine years old in "My Big-Assed Mother," but looks what age?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Bukowski mean when he disagrees with Herb's assessment that the schoolchildren who were killed in the explosion never got laid?

3. Who is Ginny?

4. What leads up to Bukowski never seeing Jeff again in "A Drinking Partner?"

5. What is significant about the condition of the stolen corpse in "The Copulating Mermaid of Venice, California" and how do Tony and Bill react to it?

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

7. What happens to Blanchard after the attack?

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

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

10. How and why does Vasquez extend his hospitality to Lincoln and Andrew?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the depictions of abusive relationships in the following format:

Part 1) Tanya and Von Brashlitz.

Part 2) Vicki and Bukowski.

Part 3) Tony and Bill taking advantage of the dead woman's body.

Part 4) Infidelity, as seen in "3 Women" and "Trouble with a Battery."

Part 5) Henry and Sarah from "Six Inches."

Develop a clear thesis statement on this subject and cite specific examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

In what ways do many of these stories deal a person's tendency towards self-destruction? How does Bukowski cast himself in many of these roles (in particular, in "25 Bums in Rags")? What are some of the common traits of those who cannot keep their lives together? How are characters such as Cass, Vicky, and Jeff similar in this regard? How is this connected with suicide? What does this suggest about Bukowski's thoughts on his own self-destruction?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the themes of hypocrisy and superiority in "Life in a Texas Whorehouse." Develop a clear thesis statement and cite specific examples from the text. Be sure to consider (though not exclusively) Bukowski's search for Gloria and her reactions to his efforts, the woman who lies about being Gloria, and the irony of his stay in the brothel. If necessary, reference some of his other stories that deal with similar themes, such as "The Fuck Machine" and "A Drinking Partner."

(see the answer keys)

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