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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. Where has Clay moved from when he relocates to Camden?

2. On which street is the hotel where Paul is supposed to meet his mother?

3. Who does Lauren think is the father of her baby?

4. What is the theme of the party where Lauren and Sean meet?

5. What does Sean see Lauren doing with another man at the Halloween party that sends him into a rage?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Lauren and Sean take a vacation together in New York?

2. Who is Richard Jared?

3. What characteristics about Sean's personality starts to irritate Lauren after they have been dating for some time?

4. How does Sean react to the news of Lauren's pregnancy?

5. What do Norris and Sean do together when they drive into town on Halloween night?

6. How does Lauren claim to know the truth about Sean sleeping with Judy?

7. What happens when Lauren finally confronts Sean about sleeping with Judy?

8. How has Richard changed from the last time Paul saw him when they were in high school?

9. Why does Lauren think that Victor is dead, and how does she react to this news?

10. What scene does Paul return home to when he gets off the bus from Boston?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many of the characters in this novel can be seen as escapists, meaning that they escape the truth of their lives through various vices. First, create a list of methods through which characters escape their lives. Then, give at least one example of a character who successfully escapes the truth of their life and compare/contrast that experience to another character who does not succeed in escaping the truth of their lives. What do you think Ellis's overall message about escapism is in this novel?

Essay Topic 2

When Lauren breaks up with Sean, he tries a few very lame attempts to kill himself and tries to convince Lauren that his death is imminent at the Halloween party. First, describe the various suicide attempts that Sean tries after his break up with Lauren. How does the reader know that Sean is not serious about trying to end his own life? Then, describe Sean's outburst at the Halloween party after he sees Lauren dancing with another man. How does Lauren react to this violent outburst? What does Lauren's reaction tell the reader about her relationship with Sean?

Essay Topic 3

At the end of the novel, Sean seems to have learned nothing from experience and does not seem to have matured. Is there any character in the novel who seems to have learned from past mistakes? Support your answer with specific details from the novel.

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