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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. Whose complexes does the psychoanalyst cure?

2. What is devouring the Abelman's Dry Goods folder?

3. What is the name of the bar the Reillys enter?

4. Where does Ignatius visit at the beginning of the chapter?

5. What is Igantius afraid he will contract if he interferes with the rat?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Ignatuis and Irene's car accident.

2. Summarize Chapter 6.

3. In what way does the porter job advertised in the bar suit both Jones and Lana?

4. Why does Ignatius claim he goes to the movies?

5. What does Myrna write in her letter?

6. Describe the outside of Ignatius' and Irene's house?

7. Describe Levy Lodge.

8. What is the central idea to Boethius' The Consolation of Philosophy?

9. What does Ignatius think about his new colleagues?

10. Describe Mancuso's lifestyle.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the effect of stereotyping. Why do the students think people stereotype? What are the negative effects of stereotyping? Are their any positive effects? In what way does Toole bypass stereotyping in A Confederacy of Dunces.

Essay Topic 2

The novel is set in New Orleans.

1) What meaning does New Orleans bring to the novel? What would you automatically presume about a novel that was set in New Orleans?

2) How different do you think today's New Orleans is to the New Orleans in the novel? How do you think the novel's meaning would change if it were set in today's New Orleans?

3) How do you think the setting contributes to the novel's humor?

Essay Topic 3

Examine Toole's humor. What meaning does it give to the novel? What would the story be like without humor? Does it have any dramatic impact? Does the humor cover any deficiencies, for example, in the plot structure?

(see the answer keys)

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