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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 method does Grady habitually utilize when he writes a novel?

2. Who warns Crabtree not to get personally involved with James?

3. What is the name of the annual event co-planned by Grady, along with others?

4. What term does Grady use to describe his essential nature in Chapter 5?

5. In what setting does Chapter 10 take place?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Grady mean when he repeatedly refers to the "midnight disease" (23) in the novel?

3. Characterize Grady's relationship with Crabtree.

4. What type of narrator is featured in Michael Chabon's novel Wonder Boys?

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

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

7. In what way does the motif of dreams emerge within Chapter 14 and for what purpose?

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

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

10. For what reason is Grady still in shock that Sara ever became involved with him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the function of Crabtree's character within the novel Wonder Boys? Discuss the characterization methods used by Chabon in depicting Crabtree and his reasons for portraying Grady’s best friend and agent in these particular ways.

Essay Topic 2

What is Chabon's message regarding commitment within relationships in the novel Wonder Boys?

Essay Topic 3

Perform a biographical criticism of Wonder Boys by researching Chabon's life and work. Be sure to create a strong and specific claim focused on this particular book and then support that claim with quotes from the book and from your research of Chabon.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 949 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample