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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. In spite of Marlowe's assurances, what do Carl and Henry know he will not do?

2. What does the young Hindu do before leaving Paris?

3. What is Henry's description of Marlowe?

4. What does Henry think about when he listens to Debussy?

5. What price is extracted from Henry for his meals at the Cronstadts?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Henry describe Moldorf?

2. How did Nanantatee fool Henry and other people when he was in New York?

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

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

5. Explain how Kelpi makes his living.

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

7. What importance does Henry place on both the past and the future?

8. Why is Henry so generous with his praise of the prostitute Germaine?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Miller addresses the idea of the artist suffering for his or her art. Do some research and and compare Henry's suffering with some other writers and artists who went through difficult times in order to produce masterpieces. You might want to include such people as Edgar Allen Poe, James Fenimore Cooper, Michelangelo, or Edith Piaf in your essay.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Hustling and conning people are important themes of the novel. Using examples from the novel, discuss how it is human nature to be deceitful to get what you want or simply to survive. Discuss any personal experience you have had similar to the events Henry writes about.

(see the answer keys)

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