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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Al goes to visit Sammy at his apartment in New York. what does Sammy mean when he says "they" don't know how to be happy?

2. What is Sidney Fineman's last movie about?

3. What does Al realize about Sammy's play, "Live Wire?"

4. In Chapter Eight, why does Al say it was a month he would never forget in Hollywood?

5. How does Harrington feel about Sammy marrying his daughter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"What Makes Sammy Run?" is a politically-fired story. Discuss the role politics play in the novel. Consider the settings of New York City and Hollywood. Be sure to discuss The Writer's Guild and the political role it represents.

Essay Topic 2

Al Manheim is fascinated by Sammy Glick's motivated attitude. Al constantly asks himself the same question, "What Makes Sammy Run?" Sammy's running is symbolic. Discuss the significance of this. Answer Al's question of what makes Sammy run. Consider discussing themes of societal pressure, greed and success.

Essay Topic 3

The role of victim and hero appear in various ways throughout the novel. Chose two characters from "What Makes Sammy Run?" and explore the ways in which each character plays both the hero and the victim.

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This section contains 346 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample