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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 Pig Bodine tell Benny about the couple Pappy Hod and Paolo?

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

3. Who is Rachel Owlglass?

4. What does Rachel do that Benny is afraid of?

5. What is the name of the record executive?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Gaucho arrested?

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

3. Describe Waldetar.

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

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

6. What does Hugo Bongo-Shaftsbury talk to Mildred about on the train in Egypt?

7. Describe the Sailor's Grave.

8. Describe Lepsius.

9. Describe Benny Profane in Chapter 1.

10. What is Herbert Stencil's purpose?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one iteration on the motif of life-death-life. Identify at least two examples of the motifs about life-death-life in the book.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Explain the taboo of abortion that still existed at the time V was written. Compare and contrast views on abortion in America during the 1950s to current views in America today. What major changes have occurred concerning the social attitude towards abortion in both positive and negative ways?

(see the answer keys)

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