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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 declares that he is not worried about which of the following in "Someday I'm Going to Write a Primer . . ."?

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

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

4. In "Invasion," what kind of animal does Chinaski see in his doorway?

5. What is "An Ordinary Poem" about?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is Bukowski seixst? Why or why not?

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

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

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

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

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

7. Describe the poem "Invasion."

8. Describe Bukowski's portrayal of populism in his poems.

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

10. Describe Chinaski's self-esteem.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze Chinaski's domestic life. Is domestic life portrayed as positive or negative? Is Chinaski's opinion of domestic life genuine? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

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