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. The dynamic between Arturo and Camilla consists of:

2. Arturo's only purchase at the restaurant has been:

3. The waitress in the Columbia Buffet initially ignores Arturo because:

4. Arturo's new clothes arrive along with:

5. Arturo's attitude toward women is:

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss Arturo's revelation about the "paradise" California represented to him earlier.

2. Why is Arturo Bandini so mean and insulting to the Mexican waitress?

3. What is the irony of Arturo's attitude toward Mexicans?

4. Why does Arturo give Mrs. Hargraves an extra five dollars with his rent payment?

5. With all the stimulus in Los Angeles, why do you suppose Arturo has writer's block?

6. In Chapter 2, Arturo's many fears are revealed. Why do you suppose Arturo is so frightened of women?

7. What role does the resident mouse in Arturo's room play in the story?

8. Discuss the possible reason that Arturo decided to become a writer, which is couched in this Chapter.

9. Discuss the essence of Burt Hargraves, and its effect on Arturo Bandini.

10. Discuss Arturo's interactions with people at the hotel, other than Judy Palmer.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Arturo's fears are looming, complicated and numerous. Although he lists some of them earlier in the story, during the earthquake we are allowed to observed the true depth of his phobias.

1) How does the bed hanging from the open wall of Vera's demolished apartment affect Arturo?

2) How would you describe his state as he watches the people gathering and singing?

3) What are the more humorous responses Arturo has to the earthquake?

Essay Topic 2

Not much is said in the story about Arturo's Communist friend, Benny Cohen.

1) What is Benny's purpose in the story?

2) In 1939, how would Benny have been viewed by society, in general?

3) Is Benny a good influence on Arturo? Why, or why not?

Essay Topic 3

1) Discuss the symbolism of milk that Fante uses throughout the story. It represents many things and appears at different events in Arturo's life. Look at each of these events and determine what it is that Fante is trying to show us, using milk as a symbol.

2) What are the different characteristics of the milk in each instance?

3) What does milk represent to Arturo?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,130 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample