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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 does one of the men say in the narrator's dream is in their sugar?

2. What does the narrator see in a vision in Chapter 37?

3. What does the narrator describe while looking at the nighttime scene in Chapter 22?

4. What is the name of Cody's mistress?

5. Where does the narrator sleep when staying at Cody's house on visits?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Jack's state of mind in the end of Chapter 22?

2. What leads Jack to go for Cody's suggestion in Chapter 24?

3. What is Jack awaiting in Chapter 31? What takes place in the conversation between Jack and Billie here?

4. What is the initial meeting of Jack and Billie like in Chapter 26?

5. What does Cody propose to Jack in Chapter 24 regarding Willamine?

6. What does Jack suggest to Billie regarding their relationship in Chapter 31?

7. What is Jack's state in Chapter 36? What is taking place at the cabin?

8. What childhood memory returns to Jack in Chapter 22?

9. What does Jack compare the visions he sees in Chapter 37 to?

10. What spiritual or religious imagery is presented in Chapter 36 in relation to Jack's state of mind?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the literary allusions in the book. What poets, authors, and thinkers does the narrator read, quote from, and discuss? What do these lead the reader to understand?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of alcohol addiction and delirium tremens in Big Sur. Which character struggles with this and what is his journey?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Jack's relationship to animals in Big Sur. How is this expressed in the cabin and in San Francisco? What do the animals symbolize?

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