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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 Bunny wish to happen when the Pope passes by?

2. What is the second song Artie improvises in Act I, Part II about?

3. What is Bananas worried that the new house Artie has found for her to live in has?

4. What does Artie claim about himself that he believes is preventing him from having his big break in show biz?

5. What does Ronnie do at the center of the stage at the end of Act I, Part II?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Ronnie dressed in when we first see him in Act I, Part I?

2. Is Artie a sympathetic character?

3. What does Artie shout offstage for?

4. What does Ronnie believe about all of the people he has encountered in his life?

5. Why are all of the characters acting so desperately by the end of Act II, Scene I, Part II?

6. What does the audience learn about the Prologue in Act I, Scene I?

7. What is the second box that Ronnie returns from the bedroom with?

8. Is Billy impressed by Ronnie's routine?

9. What act does Ronnie's desire to use the bomb foreshadow?

10. What is Bunny doing when we first see her in Act I, Part I?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Act I, Part I, the audience learns that the Vietnam War is the context for the play. The Pope is going to New York to speak to the UN about the war. Artie has a son that is in Vietnam. Using information from the class discussion on the play's context, discuss in a thesis driven paper the significance of the war going on during the play. How does the war, taking place away from the play's action, still affect the play and its characters? Use specific information and quotes from the text to support your response.

Essay Topic 2

Write a position paper on whether or not you believe Artie Shaughnessy is a sympathetic character. Be definitive in your response and support your thesis with examples and quotes from the play.

Essay Topic 3

There are several recurring symbols throughout The House of Blue Leaves. Pick one and discuss it at length: what it means, where it is seen and why, its meanings within the play's context, why this symbol works, and how it furthers the play's narrative and meaning. Use specific examples and quotes from the play to support your response.

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This section contains 660 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample