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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. What is the last sight visitors see before going into Santa's house in "Santaland Diaries"?

2. Why does the narrator of "Diary of a Smoker" schedule a doctor's appointment?

3. Which of the following is NOT a topic of discussion when the narrator works renovating an apartment?

4. Why does the narrator's father refuse to see his grandson in "Jamboree"?

5. Where does a mother instruct her son to pee in "Santaland Diaries"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Khe Sahn's arrival at the Dunbar home in "Season's Greetings to Our Friends and Family".

2. Describe Kyle Dunbar in "Season's Greetings to Our Family and Friends".

3. Describe Dolph's confrontation with Alicia Cunningham in "Barrel Fever".

4. What disgusts the narrator of "After Malison" the most during his master's writing seminar?

5. Which elf duty is the narrator's least favorite in "Santaland Diaries"? Why does he feel this way?

6. How does the narrator of "Diary of A Smoker" feel about smoking?

7. What do IV and PCD stand for in "Barrel Fever"? What is the significance of these acronyms for the narrator?

8. What does the narrator of "Giantess" expect his fellow workers to do as they are waiting in the apartment of an extremely rich client? What do they actually do?

9. Why is Jocelyn Dunbar suspected of murdering Don and framing Khe Sahn in "Season's Greetings..."?

10. Describe Marty Jr.'s appearance in "Jamboree".

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many of Sedaris' stories encourage his readers to re-examine their views about gender and sexuality. Select 2 of the stories from "Barrel Fever" and:

1) discuss how the story goes against conventional/traditional views of gender and/or sexuality, and

2) discuss the new version of gender/sexuality offered by the author.

Be sure to use evidence from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

One of the themes in the collection of short stories "Barrel Fever" is that of reality versus fantasy. Select three of the stories dealing with this theme and:

1) explain what the story says about reality and fantasy, and

2) demonstrate how the theme is developed in the story.

Then explain what you think Sedaris' overall commentary on reality vs. fantasy is in the novel as a whole.

Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

One of the recurrent topics in the collection of short stories "Barrel Fever" is family. Select three of the stories dealing with this topic and:

1) explain what the story says about family

2) demonstrate how the topic is developed in the story

Then explain what you think Sedaris' overall commentary on families is in the novel as a whole.

Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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