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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. When does Wallace realize he is no longer a Midwesterner?

2. After discussing sexual harassment with Native Companion, what does Wallace realize about East Coast women?

3. What about Leyner's image-fiction made Wallace wonder if pop-culture is all people have become?

4. According to Wallace, commercials make people watch more television because they want to understand the _______.

5. When did Lynch first become critically reviled?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Wallace, are commercials self-aware? What is the effect of this on the viewer?

2. How does Wallace feel about the setting for "Lost Highway"? Why does he feel this way?

3. According to Wallace, what tendencies does television appeal to? Who is television's target?

4. After listening to Governor Jim Edgar's speech, how does Wallace feel about Illinois? Why?

5. Does Wallace admire Lynch? Why or why not?

6. Why does Wallace feel the Desert Competition is appropriate for Illinois?

7. How does Wallace suggest a writer rebel against the "new ironic orthodoxy"?

8. To Wallace, is he still a Midwesterner? Why or why not?

9. Was Wallace a "boring" tennis player? How so?

10. According to Wallace, was Image-Fiction successful? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Wallace discusses the use of irony mainly when discussing television and entertainment and criticizes it as being detrimental. Discuss Wallace's definition of irony and the detriments and benefits it has for art. What is Wallace's definition and objective with his argument? How does Wallace see irony differently?

Essay Topic 2

Wallace addresses his own childhood through his experiences, at times offering the reader a glimpse of his experience through his childhood perspective. Wallace also describes his experiences with children through his journeys. Discuss the way that Wallace's inner-child and experiences with children offer a new side of arguments and experiences for the reader.

Essay Topic 3

Wallace, in his alienation, often finds himself embarrassed or ashamed of himself. Discuss the source of Wallace's shame and the angle it presents for the experiences.

(see the answer keys)

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