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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 does the switch on Hugo's body do?

2. What does Pig Bodine tell Benny about the couple Pappy Hod and Paolo?

3. What is Vheissu?

4. When Profane stays at Pig's apartment, what does he wake up to see one night?

5. Who does Rachel see sneaking out of the apartment in her coat?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the disturbing discovery that Profane makes about Fina?

2. Why does Stencil go to the dentist and what does he discover?

3. What does Rachel have a desire for that all the other members of the Whole Sick Crew appear to lack?

4. Describe Victoria in Chapter 7.

5. Describe Waldetar.

6. What is the urban legend that Benny Profane actually does?

7. Why does Esther fall in love with her plastic surgeon?

8. What happens when Benny goes to the ferry and meets Paola?

9. Who are the two Englishmen at the cafe in Egypt that a waiter overhears talking about Victoria Wren?

10. Who is Morris Teflon and what is his role in Chapter 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one theme in the novel. Identify at least two themes in the story and then cite an example to support each theme.

Essay Topic 2

Describe some of the settings for the stories. What is the overall setting? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. Why did the author choose to use these places in the stories?

Essay Topic 3

Politics are also referred to in the book. Pynchon refers to the politics in the German colonization of Africa in 1922. In V., the author devotes an entire chapter to this. Do you think this political story is a vital part of the book? Why or why not? Explain. How else could Pynchon incorporate politics into the book? Also examine the use of politics in relationships.

(see the answer keys)

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