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. Who suffers a miscarriage in Maine?

2. Who does the Ex-Athlete want to date?

3. Who does Norma Jeane claim she will marry after seeing a play?

4. What profession does Norma Jeane quit after marrying a second time?

5. Who gets hospitalized at a detox clinic?

Short Essay Questions

1. What classes does Norma Jeane take in New York?

2. What is Norma Jeane's first comedy role?

3. Who is the Playwright?

4. How does Norma Jeane express her thoughts and ideas for most of her life?

5. Who sometimes has suicidal thoughts toward the end of her life?

6. When does the Playwright marry Norma Jeane?

7. What do the Gemini plan to buy together in "City of Sand"?

8. What does the Ex-Athlete's family think of Norma Jeane?

9. Who is Rollo Freud?

10. Why does Norma Jeane initially decline Gentlemen Prefer Blondes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay exploring the theme of shame. Who in the novel experiences shame, and why? How do they handle it?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay exploring the novel's depiction of the character of Marilyn Monroe. According to Oates, who was Marilyn Monroe? Within the context of the Hollywood system, why was she created? What was her impact?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay in which you explore the novel's narrative tone. What is the nature of this tone? In what ways does the tone(s) support the themes of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 437 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample