View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Henry's derogatory name for the Indian, Nanantatee?

2. What does Henry resist taking from the Cronstadt baby?

3. Who asks Sylvester if he can stay with him until he goes to bed?

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

5. How does Henry picture Serge's lazy slut of a wife?

Short Essay Questions

1. In relating his experience with the young Hindu, what is Henry expressing about his own beliefs?

2. What is the scene at the beginning of the novel and how does it set up the condition Henry is in while in Paris?

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

4. How does Henry describe the relationship between him, Boris, and Elsa?

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

6. In an attempt to get money, what is Henry unable to do?

7. How does Henry describe the book on which he is working?

8. What are Henry's evenings with Carl like?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pretend you are a newspaper critic and write a summary and critique of THE TROPIC OF CANCER. In your review of the novel, include your recommendation about whether someone should or should not read the book and be specific about your reasons.

Essay Topic 2

Write a paper about how the French surrealists influenced Miller's work. Use two or three of the surreal dreams or day dreams in the book to illustrate your point. How do some of those passages sound like an early encounter with the Twilight Zone.

Essay Topic 3

One of the more amusing antics in the novel is the letter writing campaign to find Carl a rich wife. Write an essay expressing your opinion about marrying for money versus marrying for love. Let your creativity flow, using humor to get your points across.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 581 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample