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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. Chinaski assures the readers that even though he writes less about drinking and prostitutes, what is still intact?

2. When the thief in the boarding house tries to rob Chinaski, how does he get back at him?

3. In "A Funny Guy," what is Schopenhauer's profession?

4. Where does the woman in "A Good Time" want to be taken?

5. Chinaski believes that most poets are which of the following?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. Describe Chinaski's view of humanity.

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

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

10. What is Chinaski's view of solitude?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does Chinaski lack trust for humanity? What message do you think Bukowski sends in giving Chinaski this distrust?

Essay Topic 2

What role does Chinaski's father play in the poems? What effect does he have on Chinaski and why? Can you see ways in which he has influenced Chinaski?

Essay Topic 3

Describe Chinaski's connection of populism to his distaste for the Lost Generation. In what other ways does Chinaski exhibit populism?

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