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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 do the workers demand from the union leader?

2. What does Fatt do after Joe comes forward?

3. What is one thing Fatt accuses "reds" of doing?

4. What is the setting of Scene 3?

5. What is the last action in Scene 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. At what point does Miller change his mind about the new assignment?

2. How does Fatt try to dismiss the workers?

3. How does Clayton connect to the workers?

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

5. What is Joe and Edna's relationship like?

6. What makes Scene 4 romantic?

7. Why is the Voice's evidence that Clayton is a spy more credible than Clayton's denials?

8. How does Fatt attempt to dissuade workers from disagreeing with him?

9. How are Scenes 1 and 2 related?

10. Besides going to bed hungry, how else are the children affected by Joe and Edna's financial situation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Fatt argues his case for not striking by introducing two important concepts, patriotism and disloyalty, and refers repeatedly to one primary source for his proof. Discuss why patriotism and disloyalty would carry such weight at this time in history. What events, if any, could have contributed to the beliefs that Fatt expresses? What other sources were available to aid Fatt in arguing his position?

Essay Topic 2

Odets uses two techniques to shift the reader back and forward in time in order to tell his story. What two techniques does he use and where in the story does he use them? What are the benefits of using these techniques? The downside? If you were re-writing the play, how would you rearrange the scenes?

Essay Topic 3

A popular song asks what war is good for. War seems to be on everyone's mind and has touched many of the characters. The characters also seem to have a range of opinions about war. What seems to be the predominant attitude of characters in the play and why? Whose attitudes seem most in alignment with each other and whose attitudes differ the most? What are the primary benefits of war to the characters and why? What about the detriments?

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This section contains 848 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample