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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. In "Education," what does Chinaski remember?

2. In "The Master Plan," where does Chinaski survive a harsh winter?

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

4. In "My Friend, The Parking Lot Attendant," where does the attendant work?

5. In "Rift," who gets mad at Chinaski?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe Chinaski's feelings for John Fante.

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

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

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

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

8. What does Chinaski point out in "Termites of the Page"?

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

10. How does Chinaski juxtapose "Stride" and "The Final Story"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the portrayal of madness in Bukowski's work. Is madness portrayed as a negative trait? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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