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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. Who is the boxer that Nick visits to warn him about the men who want to kill him?

2. Who is Nick's buddy in this story?

3. Who is the girl that Nick spends a lot of time with?

4. What thought scared Nick when he was alone?

5. How had the baby's father hurt himself?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is Nick in this story and how does he relate to those around him?

2. What does Hemingway show about Nick's father who cleans his shotgun?

3. How is Nick's demeanor in this story uncharacteristic of his usual calm manner?

4. What is Nick doing as the story begins and who does he meet?

5. What is the them in this story?

6. What do Nick and his friend, John, learn about a peasant man they meet at an inn during a ski trip?

7. Is Nick realistic in thinking that he can rekindle the relationship with Marjorie, especially in light of discussions he has had with Bill on the topic?

8. How does Nick's fear of death exhibit again in this story?

9. Despite his being older, what fear still haunts Nick?

10. What stereotypes does Hemingway point out related to the peasants and the way the innkeeper refers to them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the character of Nick Adams. What are his similarities to Hemingway? Do you think Nick's character was based on Hemingway himself as some believe? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Hemingway writes about women giving birth or wanting a child in several of the stories. What is the significance of the birth theme to these stories and in literature in general?

Essay Topic 3

In the Story, "The Battler," Nick is beaten by a train Brakeman but not punched at all by Ad Francis, a former prizefighter. Explain the irony in Nick's situation with these two different characters. What life lessons does Nick learn from each of them?

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