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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 Stillman's notes in Chapter 5, which character does he suspect of not being trustworthy?

2. Which historical figure was faced with the challenge of standing an egg on its end?

3. In Chapter 12, what does Quinn spend many hours doing each day while he is living in the alleyway?

4. With what name does Quinn introduce himself to Stillman during their second meeting in Chapter 9?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. Describe the relationship between Quinn and the counterman at the luncheonette. What interest unites them?

3. 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?

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

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

6. In Chapter 13, where does Quinn go? What does he do there?

7. What is the financial and societal status of the Stillman family? Where do the Stillmans come from?

8. What does Quinn believe is the key to effective detective work? Does his theory prove to be correct? Why or why not?

9. Where does Stillman go after leaving Grand Central Station? Why is Quinn surprised by this?

10. What is the first thing that Quinn writes in the red notebook? Why is this significant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identity is a major theme throughout The New York Trilogy. Give one example where identity is confused or a new identity is assumed from each of the three stories. What does this confusion about identity imply about the author's view of reality?

Essay Topic 2

Give two literary allusions that are found in the story, Ghosts. How do these stories parallel Blue's narrative?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout The New York Trilogy, there are allusions to Robinson Crusoe. Give an example from each of the three stories. What is the significance of this allusion? What is the relationship between isolation and writing?

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