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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 is the format of the poems in this collection?

2. Saroyan flees from the United States to _________.

3. In "A Non-urgent Poem," a man says that Chinaski has lost which of the following?

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

5. What is the name of the chemistry teacher who molested Chinaski's friend?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Chinaski's view of solitude?

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

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

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

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

6. Describe Chinaski's feelings for John Fante.

7. Describe the role of loss in Bukowski's poetry.

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

9. Describe Chinaski's view of humanity.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Make an argument for or against Bukowski being misogynistic. Use at least three specific pieces of evidence from the text.

Essay Topic 3

What are some of the themes evident in the poems Bukowski has written? Identify at least three of these themes and provide specific examples from the text showing how the theme is created.

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