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

2. In "Let 'Em Go," Chinaski says he is tired of __________.

3. In which of the following poems does Chinaski not focus on the hidden horrors of life?

4. Chinaski describes the food in Paris as being which of the following?

5. In "Fractional Note," what is happening to hope?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How are "Hard Times" and "Concrete" juxtaposed?

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

5. In "Help Wanted," what does Chinaski fear?

6. Why is "An Ordinary Poem" significant in terms of defining Chinaski?

7. Describe the feelings Bukowski portrays in "Party's Over."

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the portrayal of madness in Bukowski's work. Is madness portrayed as a negative trait? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

How does Chinaski defend a listless and lazy lifestyle? In addition, explain how Chinaski laments the lie of the American dream and why he does this.

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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