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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 wanted the wedding to be lavish?

2. What is/are the name(s) of Ona's child(ren)?

3. What does Ona suddenly suffer from?

4. What is the other name for a wedding reception, and is traditional for the characters in this story?

5. What is another word for 'consumption'?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Marija fall in love with?

2. What does Ona suggest she do in order to marry Jurgis more quickly?

3. Who is Jurgis overcome with worry over?

4. What is the suspected cause of Elzbieta's child's death?

5. Why are the sausages the family eats not helping their nutrition?

6. What begins to happen to Ona in this chapter?

7. After Jonas deserts the family, what does the family have to do in order to bring in more money?

8. Why can't Jurgis' father find work?

9. Why does Jurgis decline to be in the union at first?

10. What is the Lithuanian family in the first chapter traveling to?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The character of Jurgis is the main character of the story, but what does he represent in a larger sense? What are some characteristics that make him easy for a reader to relate to? Why did he leave his homeland to come to the United States? Was this a good idea? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The deaths of the animals is not only shocking, but also horrifying. What do the animals symbolize in this story? What does their treatment have to say about society at this time? Do you really think the meatpacking bosses really just wanted to make a profit, regardless of the horrors? What does this say about these bosses? What does this say about society?

Essay Topic 3

Jurgis could be seen as a mythical tragic hero of the story. However, as with all heroes, he has flaws. What are some of Jurgis' flaws? What are some of his strengths? Do you think he is a hero in the end of the story? Why or why not? How does he affect others? Or is his battle an internal one?

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This section contains 621 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample