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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. What is the man at the political meeting speaking of?

2. What job does Jurgis find with the help of friend he made in the union?

3. How far away is Jurgis' new job?

4. How much does Jurgis give Stanislovas to help the family?

5. When Jurgis is at his court date, who does not come to see him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jurgis decide to do when he can not find any work?

2. After the speech is over, what does Jurgis do?

3. Jurgis happens upon another political meeting. What is the topic this time?

4. Where does Jurgis finally find the job that makes him happy, though he does not hold onto it for long?

5. What is the impassioned speech actually talking about in this chapter?

6. Why was Jurgis released from prison later than he thought would be?

7. How is the midwife described to the reader?

8. Why doesn't Ona come to the courtroom during Jurgis' sentencing?

9. Who is the visitor Jurgis gets in jail?

10. What does Jurgis learn about his family when he asks around?

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

In the end, Jurgis is left with no one. What does this say about the American dream? What do you think will happen to Jurgis next? Do you think his future will be a happy one? Why or why not? Do you think the ending is a happy one? Why or why not?

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?

(see the answer keys)

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