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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. With whom does Ignatius suggest Dorain should run off?

2. Where does Ignatius consider hiding out?

3. How many weeks of probation does Mancuso get?

4. What does Santa think that Irene needs?

5. Whose new film do the women discuss?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Gus looking forward to escaping to Florida?

2. How does Ignatius react to Myrna's presence?

3. Why does Ignatius refuse to talk to priests?

4. What does Dorain say about his life and family in Chapter 12?

5. What is Clyde's reaction to seeing the newspaper article?

6. What characters does Ignatius think have caused his downfall?

7. Summarize Chapter 8.

8. Why does Ignatius want to create a political party centered around old sodomites?

9. Why do Claude and Santa think Irene should put Ignatius in a charity hospital?

10. Summarize the final chapter.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare the characters of Ignatius and Myrna.

1) In what ways are their ideas different?

2) What is their relationship to each other?

3) Do you think they are the perfect match?

Essay Topic 2

Look at the novel's characterization. How well drawn do you think Toole's characters are? Select one of the minor characters such as Claude and discuss how much you know about his background. In what ways does Toole provide the reader with information about that character?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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