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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 Tony claim about himself and the corpse?

2. In what mood is Bukowski at the end of "The Day We Talked About James Thurber?"

3. Which assassination or assassinations does Hitler claim to have been behind in "Swastika?"

4. Why does Bukowski punch Andre's male admirer in the face?

5. What is the little girl in "The Fiend" wearing that catches Blanchard's attention?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Marie take in Charlie in "A Lovely Love Affair?"

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

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

4. Describe Martin Blanchard.

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

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

7. What are Henry Mason's opinions about artists?

8. What are some of the factors Tony and Bill discuss before seeing their stolen corpse for the first time?

9. Who is Ginny?

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

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

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."

Essay Topic 3

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?"

(see the answer keys)

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