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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 "Wearing the Collar," which animal does Chinaski talk about?

2. What is the name of the second girl in "Those Girls We Followed Home"?

3. In "Sticks and Stones . . ." Chinaski responds to whom?

4. In "Their Night," Chinaski connects his distaste for the Lost Generation to __________.

5. In "You Get So Alone At Times . . ." how many pounds does Chinaski recall losing in order to get published?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the events in the poem "The Boil."

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

3. Describe the poem "Invasion."

4. What does Chinaski say about lost pleasure?

5. How does Chinaski feel about the beautiful lady editor?

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

7. Why is the title "Practice" clever?

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

9. How and why does Chinaski focus on domestic life in some of the poems?

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

Assess the theme of destruction in this collection of poems. What types of things are destroyed? What types of things are preserved? What does this say about Bukowski?

Essay Topic 2

Assess Bukowski's argument that there are no certainties or essential truths in the world. Support or refute this claim using examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

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

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