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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Chinaski's justification for indolence and excess?
(a) His privilege.
(b) His love life.
(c) His childhood.
(d) His existence.

2. What is Chinaski's emotion in "I'll Take It..."?
(a) Sad.
(b) Nostalgic.
(c) Angry.
(d) Grateful.

3. Chinaski assures the readers that even though he writes less about drinking and prostitutes, what is still intact?
(a) His depression.
(b) His anger.
(c) His faith.
(d) His agony.

4. With whom does Chinaski seem to feel the strongest kinship?
(a) A German composer.
(b) F. Scott Fitzgerald.
(c) An actor.
(d) An English poet.

5. In "Red Mercedes," what does the passenger hand the driver of the car from the glove box?
(a) A phone.
(b) A folder of documents.
(c) A knife.
(d) A gun.

Short Answer Questions

1. In which poem does Bukowski relate his famous origin story?

2. Where is the hotel room in "A Good Time"?

3. In "The Crazy Truth," Chinaski recalled seeing a pedestrian verbally abuse a man in what color car?

4. In "The Stride," how old does Chinaski recall being?

5. According to Chinaski, all rage and destructiveness is transformed into which of the following?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is significant about the poems following "The Master Plan" in terms of imagery?

2. What is the poem "Together" about?

3. Describe the events of the poem "Stride."

4. Which poems best reflect Chinaski's connection to generations of artists preceding him and why?

5. Describe the overall tone and themes of the poems in Bukowski's book.

6. What metaphor does Chinaski use to symbolize modern America?

7. Describe the message of "For the Concerned."

8. Why does Chinaski view criticism in a dismissive manner?

9. What happens in "The Passing of a Great One" and "The Wine of Forever"?

10. Describe Chinaski's feelings for John Fante.

(see the answer keys)

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