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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. When Chinaski writes, who or what accompanies him?

2. Which of the following is the setting for "Red Mercedes" and a frequent setting in Bukowski's work?

3. What is the name of Chinaski's lover with whom he lived with on next to nothing?

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

5. With whom does Chinaski seem to feel the strongest kinship?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the poem "Together" about?

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

3. What is Chinaski's view of solitude?

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

5. What is the poem "Shoes" about?

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

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

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

9. In his poems, Bukowski acknowledges that all people have what, and why?

10. What type of conflict does "Red Mercedes" describe?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Assess Bukowski's argument that there are no certainties or essential truths in the world. Support or refute this claim using examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Why does Chinaski enjoy solitude so much? Does he genuinely enjoy solitude, or is he being disingenuous?

Essay Topic 3

What unifying statement does Bukowski use in his work? Why do you think it is significant to have a unifying statement? Is it a genuine statement? Why or why not?

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