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

Short Answer Questions

1. What town do Clyde and Roberta buy tickets to?

2. How many witnesses testify to Roberta's character?

3. What law firm does Kellogg suggest?

4. What does Clyde receive from Sondra?

5. Who refuses the insanity plea?

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

Mason uses the trial to enhance his political reputation while the defense makes up elaborate lies to persuade the jury to find Clyde innocent. How accurate do you think Dreiser's depiction of American justice is? Do you think it is a negative or positive portrayal or simply realistic?

Essay Topic 3

An American Tragedy is written in three parts. Examine the structure of the novel.

1) In what way dos the first part show the importance of a child's upbringing?

2) What are the main themes of the second part of the novel?

3) Why do you think Clyde's character does not genuinely seek redemption in the final part of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 206 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample