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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 is the name of the lover of Victoria Wren?

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

3. Who is Dr. Shale Schoenmaker?

4. How does Yusef the anarchist gain access at the consulate party in order to gain information about the British?

5. Who did Stencil meet that talked to him about the sewers and the rat Veronica?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe Lepsius.

3. What is Herbert Stencil's purpose?

4. What is the plan concocted by the two men outside the wine shop and what does Gaucho propose?

5. What is Vheissu?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the role of women in Virginia in the1950s when the women in the stories are living their lives. What precedents do they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions do they have? What freedoms did they have that 21st century women may not have?

Essay Topic 3

Both Benny and Stencil are two of the most active characters.

Part 1) What is their relationship? How do they co-exist and how do they interact? What is similar about them and what is different?

Part 2) What are some events that Stencil had a direct influence upon? What are some events that Benny had a direct influence upon?

Part 3) Which character offers support to the Whole Sick Crew? Which one is stronger and why?

(see the answer keys)

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