View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Gilbert think is responsible for Clyde's Christmas invitation?

2. Where does Clyde visit at the beginning of chapter 34?

3. How much money does Clyde's mother ask him to help her raise?

4. Where is the party Sondra invites Clyde to go to?

5. What is the name of Roberta's sister's husband?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Clyde's legal team begin their defense?

2. In what way does Clyde keep his promise to Gilbert?

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

4. Why does Clyde think Jephson is his last hope?

5. Describe the Griffith family.

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

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

8. Describe how Clyde kills Roberta.

9. How so the strict social rules affect Roberta?

10. How does Jephson boost Clyde's courage?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare Clyde and Roberta.

1) What is their relationship with their parents?

2) What is their relationship to each other?

3) Do you think they were the perfect match?

Essay Topic 2

An American Tragedy is written in the third person. Why do you think Dreiser chose to write the story in the third person? How do you think the meaning of the story would of changed if it was written in the first person?

Essay Topic 3

Dreiser was a socialist. Using two examples from the novel, discuss the ways the story reflects Dreiser's political ideas?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 670 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample