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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 was the source of the sounds that used to emerge from Albert Vetch's room at the hotel?

2. Grady discovers in Chapter 14 that James has stolen a jacket that formerly belonged to whom?

3. What kind of pet do the Gaskells own?

4. What type of event is at the center of Chapter 6?

5. In what genre did Albert Vetch create short stories throughout his life?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Grady react, inwardly and outwardly, to the news Sara delivers in Chapter 5?

2. What is the symbolism of the lock on Walter's closet door?

3. Though Grady cannot remember the night of his father's suicide, he remembers what other event vividly from around that time?

4. Who was the first "real writer" (3) Grady ever knew and what was his eventual fate?

5. How does Grady feel about Hannah and how does act on these feelings?

6. What is the significance of the date January 14, 1954 featured in Chapter 8?

7. What major news does Sara reveal to Grady in Chapter 5?

8. What two roles does Walter play in Grady's life and why?

9. What does Grady see as the main difficulty he is having with completing his fourth novel Wonder Boys?

10. In what way does the motif of dreams emerge in Chapter 3 and for what purpose does Chabon utilize the motif?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Chabon’s use of metaphor, simile, imagery, and other literary devices as a means to send particular thematic messages within the narrative of Wonder Boys.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Chabon's treatment of class within the book Wonder Boys. What are the messages Chabon is attempting to send to the audience and which characters are utilized to relay these messages?

Essay Topic 3

Determine Chabon’s message regarding the relationship between comedy and tragedy, as depicted in the novel Wonder Boys.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 941 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample