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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 are the members of the Whole Sick Crew?

2. Which member of the Whole Sick Crew does Rachel sometimes date?

3. Who does Benny meet on the subway in New York?

4. Where are rumors of a spy called the Gaucho going around?

5. What is the name of the man who has a proclivity for young girls that latches on to Porpentine?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Vheissu?

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

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

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

5. What happens to the Birth of Venus painting in Chapter 7?

6. How is the apathy of the Whole Sick Crew evident in Winsome's behavior?

7. Describe Waldetar.

8. How does Dr. Schoenmaker view Esther in Chapter 4?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Describe Stencil; What is his role in the story? What is the author trying to accomplish by creating Stencil as a major character of the book?

Essay Topic 3

The author uses some important instances of flashbacks in the stories. Explain what a flashback is and cite at least two making sure to explain what makes each a flashback.

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This section contains 687 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample