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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. Why is the prostitute's brother acting as a bodyguard in "Trouble with a Battery?"

2. What does Bukowski attempt to read during oral sex in "My Big-Assed Mother?"

3. What job are Bukowski, Herb, and Talbot performing during "The White Beard?"

4. Fill in the blank: Bukowski and Madge win big on Claremount III and __________.

5. Fill in the blank: Surgeons replace the president's brain and ________ with those of Hitler's.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the fate of the president after the surgeries are completed?

3. Why does Bukowski decide to find a better girlfriend than Madge at the end of the story?

4. What happens off of the coast of Spain in "Politics is like Trying to Screw a Cat in the Ass?"

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

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

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

8. Who is Ginny?

9. Describe some of the preparations taken before the conspiracy to replace the President's brain and larynx with Hitler's own body parts.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Bukowski depict his different lovers throughout his stories? In what ways does he differentiate between his casual flings and those for whom he has true feelings? What does this suggest about his relationship to sex? What is significant about Bukowski portraying himself as being in an abusive relationship with Vicki in "3 Chickens?" How does this contrast with his loving sacrifice of a relationship with Marie in "A Lovely Love Affair?"

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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