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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. Wallace believes that Lynch's films are the most successful when what is developed?

2. Wallace isn't sure what _____ everyone at the car race is waiting for.

3. In Hix's argument, "Morte d'Author," American post-structuralists argue what about authors?

4. What charity do Brenda Edgar and Ronald McDonald discuss with the press?

5. In the Midwest, how are people supposed to respond to a tornado during a tennis match?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did the students argue with their professor's position that works should make no reference to a specific time period?

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

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

4. According to Wallace, what does television reference?

5. Does the plot of "Lost Highway" make sense? Is it supposed to make sense?

6. What does Wallace observe as ironic in television? Does he see this as detrimental? How?

7. Does Wallace agree with Hix's argument about "authors"? Why or why not?

8. According to Wallace, do writers enjoy watching television? Do writers enjoy being watched? Why do writers watch television?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout his essays, Wallace often cites outside sources to either enforce his opinion or provide a contradiction for him to react to. Discuss Wallace's use of outside sources. How does Wallace analyzing others paint a clearer picture of Wallace himself?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

In the essay "Getting Away From pretty Much Being Away From It All," Wallace is on assignment in his home state of Illinois. Through his exploration of the State Fair, Wallace's Eastern and Midwestern identities are brought into question and clashes between the two arise. Discuss what Wallace finds about himself and the regions as being a once native, now outsider.

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