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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. "Love Poem to a Stripper" is dedicated to a woman that Chinaski saw in which year?

2. Chinaski claims that the best one can hope for is which of the following?

3. In "From an Old Dog in his Cups," what relationship is explored?

4. What happens to Chinaski in "Everybody Talks Too Much"?

5. Where does Chinaski get out of his car in "Hard Times"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What allegory is present in "The Death of a Splendid Neighborhood"?

2. How does Bukowski build a sense of foreboding in "Invasion"?

3. What is the message of "Trying to Make It"?

4. What does Chinaski say about lost pleasure?

5. What metaphor is used in the poem "Seize the Day"?

6. Describe the poem "The Lady in the Castle."

7. What does the lion in "Invasion" represent?

8. Describe the poem "Invasion."

9. Describe the argument that Bukowski makes in "Fractional Note."

10. Describe the theme of solitude present in "Party's Over," "No Nonsense," and "Escape."

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

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

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 750 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample