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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 Rachel say that Stencil wrote in his note?

2. Who is Rachel Owlglass?

3. Who does Benny drink with that gets attracted to him in Chapter 6?

4. Who is a patient of Dr. Schoenmaker that Rachel pays the bill for?

5. What collapses on Evan as he tries to leave the building?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Fairing's Parish and how did it get its name?

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

3. Why does Rachel go to see Dr. Schoenmaker's profession and why does it upset her?

4. Describe Benny Profane in Chapter 1.

5. Describe Waldetar.

6. What does the reader learn about V. in Chapter 3?

7. Describe Rachel Owlglass.

8. Why does Profane leave his friends?

9. Who does Benny meet on the subway and who do they introduce him to?

10. Describe the Sailor's Grave.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of Benny Profane. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him at this point in his life?

Essay Topic 2

How is sexuality portrayed in V.? Which characters appear overtly sexual? Which characters are sexually appealing to others and why? What sexual taboos are broken and what issues are raised in relation to sex? Describe.

Essay Topic 3

V. is an enigmatic and famous character in this book. Explain the history of V. as you know it. When did the character first appear in the book? What culture seemingly created V.? How has the character changed throughout history? Why do you think Pynchon chose V. as a main character?

(see the answer keys)

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