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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. In Chapter 10, what novel is Paul Auster writing an article about?

2. What book is the girl reading with whom Quinn converses in the waiting room?

3. The second time Quinn awakens in the small room at the back of the apartment, what does he find waiting for him?

4. What does Stillman do with the object that he examines during his walks in Chapter 8 of the novel?

5. Why does Quinn decide not to continue following the second Stillman and to instead turn around and follow the first?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the waiting room, what is the girl's opinion of the William Wilson novel that Quinn wrote? What is Quinn's reaction to her opinion?

2. Why did Stillman invent the persona of Henry Dark? What significance does this name have?

3. In the telephone calls in Chapter 1, with whom is Quinn confused? What is the nature of this person's work?

4. What role does fate have in Quinn's involvement in the Stillman case? What does Quinn consider to be a sign of fate's decision?

5. According to Peter, what was his father's motivation for locking him up in the dark for so many years? Was he successful?

6. What is Stillman's project as he explains it to Quinn in Chapter 9? Why is this work necessary?

7. What job does Virginia Stillman hire Auster to do? How does she expect him to start?

8. What is the message spelled out by the letters of the maps in Chapter 8? What does this message reveal to Quinn about Stillman?

9. What is the danger of Quinn's becoming too bored while following Stillman? Who does he pretend to be in order to combat his boredom?

10. After losing track of Stillman, who does Quinn seek out for advice on the Stillman case? Why does he think this person will be able to help him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Fate is a significant theme in City of Glass. Give two examples of coincidences that Quinn attributes to fate. How does fate as an explanation justify Quinn's actions?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout The New York Trilogy, writers and detectives are constantly confused. Writers become detectives and detectives become writers and readers. Give two examples of this concept and then compare and contrast the two professions. How are language and action important in both?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the symbol of the Tower of Babel in City of Glass. Why is this symbol so important to Stillman? What is his project and how does it relate to the Tower of Babel?

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