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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 kind of women does "Poor Al" date?

2. In "Glenn Miller," Chinaski recalls what kind of shop?

3. In "Red Mercedes," what does the passenger hand the driver of the car from the glove box?

4. Where is the hotel room in "A Good Time"?

5. In "My First Affair With That Older Woman," how much older than Chinaski is the woman?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Chinaski portrayed in "Zero"?

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

3. Describe Chinaski's view of humanity.

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

5. What is the poem "Together" about?

6. What metaphor does Chinaski use to symbolize modern America?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and give examples of Chinaski showing conceit toward age and youth.

Essay Topic 2

An allegory is a literary device used to show that a part represents a whole. Describe the use of allegory in at least one of Bukowski's poems. Then explain why the use of allegory is effective or ineffective.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the role that the themes of loss and fear play in Bukowski's poetry. Explain the two poems that seem to focus the most on fear and loss. Explain why you think this theme prevails in these poems.

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