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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. How much does the Pirate earn each day?

2. What is Danny's role in TORTILLA FLAT?

3. Why does Pilon think he will not go to hell?

4. Who returns home having been attacked by Arabella and the soldiers?

5. What does Joe steal from Danny?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Arabella Gross take advantage of Jesus Maria Corcoran?

2. Which woman is Danny interested in and what is the attraction?

3. What does Pilon explain about keeping the treasures one finds in a St. Andrew's Eve dig?

4. Who is the Pirate and what does Pilon learn about his daily routine?

5. How does Pilon rationalize not getting any gold for Danny?

6. How does the author use foreshadowing when Pilon and Pablo are talking about deceased friends?

7. What is Big Joe's experience with Pilon on St. Andrew's Eve?

8. Why do the paisanos follow the Pirate every morning?

9. What is the condition of Danny's house and how much rent is it agreed that Pilon will pay?

10. How does Big Joe Portagee become a tenant in Danny's house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Steinbeck use the literary technique of local color in Tortilla Flat? What elements comprise local color? Give some examples of the local color in Tortilla Flat establishments. In the characters. In the events.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the overall setting for the novel. Why does Steinbeck use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

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This section contains 859 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample