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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 does Henry stay warm on a cold Easter morning?

2. What emotion does Claude arouse in Henry?

3. Why does Boris not introduce Henry to the American woman who comes to see the apartment?

4. How does Kelpi make his living?

5. What does the young Hindu do that upsets the madame?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Henry say about his escape from Serge?

2. How does Henry use sarcasm in describing Nanantatee's lavish apartment?

3. Describe Henry's friends in Paris.

4. How does Henry define health that he equates with optimism?

5. Explain how Kelpi makes his living.

6. How does Henry see the cheap whores at the corner of Rue Amelot?

7. How does Henry get away from Serge?

8. How does Henry contrast a merry-go-round and the Germans?

9. What does Serge promise in lieu of a big Russian meal each day?

10. Why does Henry go so often to the American Express office?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Miller correctly identifies many people's obsession with royalty in Chapter 12 when he writes about Macha, the presumed Russian princess. Write a paper expressing your opinion about how you see the status of royalty today. You might want to include a reference to the late Princess Diana of England in your comments.

Essay Topic 2

Much of TROPIC OF CANCER deals with hunger. Miller makes it clear that hunger eclipses all other human drives. Write an essay on the broader theme of world hunger where people do not have Henry's ability to find food.

Essay Topic 3

Write a paper on whether you think Henry Miller accomplished what he set out to do with this novel. Refer back to passages in the book where he talks about what literature should be. Is he justified in writing honestly about the way men and women actually view their sexuality?

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