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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 Ronnie do at the center of the stage at the end of Act I, Part II?

2. What does Artie say happened to him after he rescued Bananas from a rooftop in the middle of winter?

3. Why does Bananas tell Artie not to be disrespectful at the beginning of Act I, Part II?

4. What does the audience become after the Prologue of The House of Blue Leaves?

5. What does Bananas throw at Artie and Bunny after Artie gets off the phone with Billy?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Billy mistake Bananas for his late wife, Georgina, when he sees her?

2. What does the color blue function as in the Prologue?

3. Where is Ronnie at the opening of Act II, Scene I, Part I?

4. What sign of gentleness toward Bananas does Artie have in Act I, Part II?

5. Billy explains to Artie that it is better when he imagines Artie in the audience than for Artie to actually be there. Is this reasonable?

6. What does Bananas' story about being on the snowy rooftop foreshadow?

7. How does Corrinna die by the end of Act II, Scene I, Part II?

8. What does Corrinna say to the audience when she arrives in Act II, Scene I, Part II?

9. When Artie steps into the spotlight at the end of the play, what does he sing about?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ronnie's character in The House of Blue Leaves is neither prominent nor fully understood. Aside from Act II, Scene I, Part I, his voice is not heard; therefore his thoughts are not known. However, much can be deduced from the few times we see Ronnie. In a thesis driven paper, discuss Ronnie's character and his significance to the play. Use specific examples and quotes from the text to support your response.

Essay Topic 2

Bananas and Artie clearly have a dysfunctional relationship. Artie goes through a range of emotions pertaining to Bananas throughout the play before eventually strangling her at the end. Analyze the couple's relationship through a chronological standpoint, assessing the significance of their relationship in the play. Use specific information and quotes from the text to support your response.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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This section contains 684 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample