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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 kills Old Thak?

2. In Akthelt and Gunnel, who is the hero's bodyguard?

3. Bogus spends his time in his hallucinations with __________.

4. What does Ralph send Bogus after surgery?

5. What does Throgsgafen mean?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way is Bogus envious of Couth?

2. What plans are being made for Ralph's next movie?

3. What role does Ralph play in the relationship between Bogus and Tulpen?

4. Why does Bogus tell Colm that the story he's been telling him at bedtime is real?

5. How does the phrase, "There was, of course, no logic to the dwarf's fear of Harold's rather large cat" relate to the movie about Bogus's life?

6. How does Tulpen describe Bogus to Ralph?

7. Describe Bogus's new attire.

8. When Bogus returns to Tulpen, what changes are noticeable in their relationship?

9. How have Bogus's views on promiscuity changed throughout the novel as he has grown older and had various relationships?

10. In what ways does Old Thak represent Ralph?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Water continues to be a common theme throughout the novel from the Water-Method to Merrill's drowning and many instances in between. What does water represent throughout the story? Does it vary from character to character? Does it vary from situation to situation? Cite the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

John Irving's writing style in this novel is choppy, bouncing between time periods and points of view. There are also a myriad of writing modes involved. How are each of these elements key to the story that unfolds, as far as the plot and narrative being told?

Essay Topic 3

The Water-Method Man offers four homes as part of the setting for the story. The homes include Bogus's home with Biggie, Bogus's home with Tulpen, the brothel in Vienna, and the Pillsbury estate in Maine. Each of these homes is characteristic of the relationships inside. Explain the connection between each home and its occupants with support from the text.

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