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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. What did the "Old Yankee" run?

2. What is the name of the person Mitchell talks about in "A Mess of Clams"?

3. What kind of work do the Mohawk Indians tend to leave for?

4. What kind of farm does Barbee own?

5. How did Jane's mother feel about her?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the message behind the story about Peggy?

2. What do you think about "Santa Clause Smith"? Is he benevolent or malicious?

3. What is a calypso?

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

5. Who is Joe Gould?

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

7. Who is Mazie Gordon?

8. Why did Peggy lie to the little girl?

9. Why did Barbee own a terrapin shop and why did many people purchase them?

10. What is the significance of the rats in the street at night?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the painting that Joe Gould was in. What did this prove about Joe? Was he an exhibitionist? Would he have wanted his life to be portrayed in the way it is in Mitchell's stories? How do you know?

Essay Topic 2

Why did Mitchell lose interest in Joe Gould? What sparked his interest again?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the role naivety plays in some of the stories in this collection. Which stories and characters are most representative of naivety? Why?

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