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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 long does it take before Irene agrees to meet Carl in her hotel?

2. Why does Henry return to hustling meals and lodging?

3. What happens in the place where Macha is known and has her hand kissed repeatedly?

4. What weakness appears in Henry as he plans how to use the money given to him?

5. How do Fillmore and Henry deal with the cold flat?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is it about Van Norden that puzzles Henry?

2. How does Henry see flow of the word about him?

3. How does Henry feel going to his room in the dark dormitory late at night?

4. What is Fillmore's reason for being so considerate of Henry?

5. Why does Henry think it is a sorry state to be human?

6. Explain how Henry is helped from Kruger's studio.

7. Give a brief description of Van Norden.

8. Does Henry see everything that flows in the same way it was seen by Milton?

9. Describe the idea Henry and Carl get from Van Norden.

10. Where has Tania been and what does she want from Henry?

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 discussing Henry Miller's attitude toward women. Do you think he is clearly a sexist? Are there moments when he appears to be of two minds about the value of women? Include his thoughts viewing the graffiti on the lavatory walls and the way he looks at Boris' treatment of Elsa.

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)

This section contains 636 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample