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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 the name of Chinaski's friend in "The Stride"?
(a) Norbert.
(b) Nell.
(c) Neil.
(d) Norman.

2. What does Bukowski seem to defend through his poetry?
(a) Education.
(b) Slefishness.
(c) Listlessness.
(d) Lack of ambition.

3. Where is Chinaski's favorite place in "My Vanishing Act"?
(a) A baseball field.
(b) A graveyard.
(c) A meadow.
(d) A football field.

4. What kind of magazines does Chinaski write for in "O Tempora! O Mores!"?
(a) Women's magazines.
(b) Pornographic magazines.
(c) Home improvement magazines.
(d) Outdoor magazines.

5. In "Rift," who gets mad at Chinaski?
(a) His roommate.
(b) His brother.
(c) His father.
(d) The woman he lives with.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Shoes," what does the young man think of the shoes?

2. What is Chinaski's emotion in "I'll Take It..."?

3. Whom does Chinaski pity in "Supposedly Famous"?

4. Chinaski's work is most likely a rebuttal to authors like ______________.

5. In "Supposedly Famous," Chinaski takes stock of __________.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What relationships are defined in "A Non-urgent Poem" and "For My Ivy League Friends"?

4. Describe Chinaski's feelings for John Fante.

5. Describe Chinaski's father and his perception of him.

6. What is the poem "Together" about?

7. How do many of the poems seem to serve as a defense of listlessness?

8. Which poem expresses a counterpoint of an indulgent and listless life?

9. Describe the message Bukowski presents in "Darkness."

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

(see the answer keys)

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