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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 grade does the judge give Carney for his fantasy?

2. What does Epstein claim he saw?

3. What does the prostitute do when Eugene gets into bed?

4. What do the soldiers discuss as they prepare for their 2-day pass?

5. Who didn't flush one of the johns in the latrine after Epstein cleaned it?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Epstein object to about Toomey's style?

2. What keeps Eugene from defending Arnold Epstein?

3. What does Eugene say when Wykowski asks if he means what he wrote?

4. What kind of a person is Arnold?

5. How does Eugene convince Daisy to kiss him?

6. Which soldiers does Toomey not let leave the table, and why?

7. What is the scene at the beginning of Act 2, Scene 9 reminiscent of?

8. What does Daisy tell Eugene she will always know, if he winds up with another girl?

9. What state is Toomey in during Act 2, Scene 7?

10. What happens when Toomey asks the guilty person to come forward?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

An "other" is someone who is different and becomes outcast. Discuss being different and the concept of the "other" in the play.

1) In what ways are each of the characters different and therefore outcast from the others? Which are outcasts in the culture of the army?

2) How do the characters react to the things that make other characters different? Do any of the characters relate their own status as "others" with ways in which others are also outcasts?

3) How does the idea of an outcast "other" relate to war? Who becomes the "other" during wartime, and how do the soldiers think and talk about this during the play?

Essay Topic 2

When Wykowski and the other soldiers read about themselves in Eugene's journal, they are upset about what they've read. However, Epstein still encourages Eugene to be honest and not compromising in his writing. Discuss the role of honesty and truth in the play.

1) Why are the soldiers upset by Eugene's honest opinions? Is it wrong for Eugene to write his honest opinions?

2) Toomey steals money from Wykowski in order to foment distrust and anger among the men. What does this instance say about honesty and dishonesty? Why does Epstein falsely confess instead of telling the truth?

3) What other instances are there of honesty and dishonesty in the play, and how are they important?

Essay Topic 3

Boot camp takes young men who are adapted to civilian life and attempts to adapt them for life in a war. Discuss this aspect of the characters' time in boot camp.

1) What makes a person a good soldier in the play? How good or bad are the same personality traits in civilian society? Which of the soldiers are well adapted to being in a war?

2) Which of the characters are best adapted for civilian life, and why? How well-suited are their characteristics in war?

3) Do the characters learn strategies for adapting their civilian behaviors to becoming soldiers? In what ways?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 800 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample