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

2. What is Herb's trademark noise in "The White Beard?"

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

4. At what address are the surgeries on the president of the United States performed in "Swastika?"

5. What does Jeff do that incites a round of violence in "A Drinking Partner," shocking and disgusting Bukowski?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

4. What does Charlie leave Marie?

5. What is significant about Andrew's conversation with his girlfriend?

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

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

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

9. What are the logistics of Harry's plan to recover the gold from the artillery range?

10. Describe Tito and Baby.

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

Compare and contrast the characters of Danforth from "The Gut-Wringing Machine" and Von Brashlitz in "The Fuck Machine." What are their similarities? What are their differences? How do both of these character relate to the themes of dominance and power? In what ways do they abuse their power and how do people suffer for this? How is Von Brashlitz allowing Tanya to be raped and murdered a symptom of the mindset that Danforth promotes, when someone does not deserve to be treated as human? What does this suggest about Bukowski's views that those in power will destroy the world?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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