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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 boy throws up in "Whorehouse"?

2. Chinaski argues that his friend from "Stride" would feel crestfallen to see what which of the following does to a man?

3. Saroyan insists that in order for him to write he needs to ______________.

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

5. What is the occupation of the subject in "That's Why Funerals Are So Sad"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does "The Master Plan" reveal about Chinaski?

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

3. How is the Chinaski of 1986 described?

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

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

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

7. Describe Chinaski's view of humanity.

8. How is Chinaski portrayed in "Zero"?

9. How does Chinaski feel about Joe O'Brien, and how does he react to his death?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Chinaski defend a listless and lazy lifestyle? In addition, explain how Chinaski laments the lie of the American dream and why he does this.

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of the poem "Invasion"? What does the lion in the poem symbolize? What is the message of this poem, and how do you know?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze Chinaski's domestic life. Is domestic life portrayed as positive or negative? Is Chinaski's opinion of domestic life genuine? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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