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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. Where does Walter Dillard's uncle work?

2. What room is Clyde asked to supervise?

3. Who does Roberta say Clyde is attracted to?

4. Where does Clyde find employment when he is 16?

5. What is the name of the restaurant Clyde has dinner at?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what ways is Clyde becoming a less sympathetic character?

2. What do you think is Clyde's main weakness?

3. What important decision does Clyde make in chapter 40, book 2?

4. How is Clyde's moral upbring still apparent in chapter 17?

5. Why does Mason ask for a special session of the grand jury?

6. How has the accident in Kansas City changed Clyde for the better?

7. What does Clyde hope to achieve in his new position?

8. How does Clyde react to the news Roberta is pregnant?

9. How has Clyde's behavior affected those around him?

10. What impression does Clyde give to the onlookers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using examples to support your argument discuss the following statement. Dreiser prose is pedestrian, uninspired and cliched.

Essay Topic 2

An American Tragedy ends as it started with the Griffith family preaching on the streets with their young grandson Russell. What do you think will happen to Russell in the future? In what way can Mrs. Griffith stop Russell from turning out like Clyde? How important is a child's upbringing?

Essay Topic 3

Foreshadowing plays a big part in the novel. What is foreshadowing? How does Dreiser use foreshadowing in the novel? What affect does it have on the novel's meaning?

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