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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. Where does the editor in "The Beautiful Lady Editor" help the poor?

2. In "Hard Times," how many familiar men does Chinaski run into?

3. Chinaski describes Paris as a lovely city full of _______________.

4. Chinaski was told that the odds of a patient surviving a hospital for the poor are ______________.

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 Bukowski's portrayal of populism in his poems.

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

3. Describe the conclusion Chinaski arrives at in "Wearing the Collar" and "A Cat is a Cat is a Cat is a Cat."

4. Describe Chinaski's self-esteem.

5. How does Bukowski use gallows humor and vaudeville in his poems?

6. What common theme runs through the poems "Practice," "My Buddy," John Edgar Webb," and "Love Poem to a Stripper"?

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

8. What does Chinaski say about lost pleasure?

9. Why does Chinaski think he has so many female critics?

10. Is Bukowski seixst? Why or why not?

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

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

Essay Topic 3

What unifying statement does Bukowski use in his work? Why do you think it is significant to have a unifying statement? Is it a genuine statement? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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