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. Why is Boris intimidated by his wife?

2. What woman is Henry obsessed with?

3. What does the American woman inquire about that astonishes Henry?

4. Why is Henry always looking for a free meal?

5. Who helps get Henry out of Nanantatee's apartment much of the time?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Henry see the American women at the Cafe de la Paix or the Ritz Bar?

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

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

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

6. What does Henry know about Walter Pach?

7. What had Henry hoped for when he met Serge?

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

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

10. What is Henry's bright idea to get at least one free meal a day?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

A difficult time for Henry was when he was employed and had to, as he put it, kiss the boss's ass. Write a paper on the difficulty of being an employee and having to suppress your personal feelings and ideas because of a dictatorial boss.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 536 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample