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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. Who is the founder of the Anti-profanity League?

2. Where did Mitchell meet Archie Clock?

3. What did Commodore do to make a living?

4. What was James Jefferson Davis Hall's occupation?

5. Why did Jane decide not to shave her face?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the role of the theme of people being torn by life and heritage in Mitchell's collection of stories.

2. What does it mean that Jane has only a limited ability to be happy?

3. Why did Jane choose to live the circus life?

4. What is a calypso?

5. What was the main rule at McSorley's and why?

6. Describe Philippa's parents and situation at home.

7. What was strange to Mitchell in the story "I Couldn't Dope it Out"?

8. After Peggy talks to the little girl, why does she ask the bartender to walk her home?

9. What significance does Mr. Cusack place on the full moon?

10. Why does Mitchell include a personal anecdote in Cassell's story, and is it an effective technique?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Is Up in the Old Hotel and Other Stories a motivational collection? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Many of Mitchell's stories involve the ocean or harvesting for seafood. To what extent is the ocean a symbol in Mitchell's stories? What does the ocean symbolize? Is it just a coincidence?

Essay Topic 3

Poole is one character who seems quite sure that everything is always getting worse. Explore this concept in terms of other short stories and subjects in these stories to argue for or against Poole's point. What does Mitchell seem to think about this idea?

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