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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 is the first character to speak in the play?

2. Who initially insists that the action of many can accomplish what one cannot?

3. What is the last action in Scene 3?

4. In Scene 2, what does Joe find when he arrives home from work at the end of the day?

5. What does Edna think about strikes?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do you think Sid and Florence feel by the end of Scene 4?

2. Why is Benjamin coming to see Dr. Barnes?

3. What are some reasons Joe doesn't want to strike?

4. How do you think Irv feels as a result of his behavior toward Florence?

5. What are several factors that have contributed to Benjamin's removal from surgery?

6. Why does Edna threaten infidelity as a way to convince Joe to support a strike?

7. Is Miller's use of violence against Fayette an acceptable response to being fired?

8. How does Agate's approach to the workers compare with that of Clayton the spy's approach in Scene 5?

9. What are two main themes contained in Scene 4 and how are they manifested?

10. Is Fatt respected by the workers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In several instances, Fatt makes statements that the workers challenged. He says workers have hot suppers to go home to and the workers disagree. Fatt says Philadelphia is an hour away and the worker says two hours. What is the significance of getting the facts over seemingly minor details, which gives the appearance of quibbling over minor differences? How do minor inaccuracies detract from or add to the realities of the lives of the bosses and workers?

Essay Topic 2

Hunger is a marker in the play; food and/or the lack of it comes up in at least three scenes. How do discussions about hunger and food speak to the issue of social class? What characters can you put in a class hierarchy based on dialogue about hunger and/or food? What is that hierarchy and what evidence supports your arrangement? What do you know about persistent hunger in the USA, who it affects, and what your responsibility is for ending it?

Essay Topic 3

In spite of the anger, violence, deception, and other stressors, Odets manages to write love into the play. Think about the relationships depicted in the play. Who are the characters in the love relationships and what kind are they? What responsibilities to each other do they have? How are the relationships influenced by others? Which relationship is the most romantic and how is that romance shown? What are your thoughts about the couple's decision to delay sex until marriage?

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