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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. Himiko suggests that in another universe, Bird's baby will live to his __________________.

2. What does the person in #52 tell Bird?

3. What is the dark continent?

4. How old is Bird?

5. What is the weather like as Bird takes on the gang?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is sex and sexuality a means for Bird to avoid responsibility?

2. What is the significance of the students in Bird's class and what do they represent after his in-class vomiting incident?

3. What is important foreshadowing regarding the tests of strength and Bird's encounter with the gang?

4. Waking up sick with a hangover, what does Bird think might serve as partial restitution for the baby's dire situation?

5. What does the glass-eyed doctor tell Bird they will know more about the baby's condition?

6. At what stage is Bird in his journey of personal transformation at this point?

7. What does Bird observe when he visits his father-in-law at the university?

8. What does Bird notice about the women watching from the windows of the maternity hospital?

9. What is the significance of Himiko's character in the story?

10. What is the significance of the two men who come to Himiko's home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The frustration of unfulfilled affection touches several characters in the story. Name at least two characters who experience unfulfilled love and the situations that occur as a result.

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of the book's title? What are some other possible titles for the book. List at least five and cite your reasons for each.

Essay Topic 3

Explain what it means that Bird is a man who keeps running away. In what areas does Bird seemingly fail? How does Bird feel about these failures? What is the turning point where Bird refuses to run away any longer?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 970 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample