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

Short Answer Questions

1. What gives Clyde hints about how not to get caught?

2. Who does Mason receive a letter from?

3. What lake does Clyde take Roberta to?

4. How many members of the Jury supported Clyde?

5. What city does Samuel Griffith move his family to?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

An American is a famous book which has greatly influenced popular culture. Choose a film or book written after An American Tragedy that you think was influenced by the novel and discuss there similarities in terms of a) plot b) character c) themes.

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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This section contains 211 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample