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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 preparatory school did Joyce and his younger brother attend?

2. Who is the girl Joyce began to date in 1904?

3. What word did the publisher have Joyce remove from DUBLINERS?

4. Which book of Joyce's was published in 1907 but for which he received no money?

5. Who was the favorite child in the Joyce family?

Short Essay Questions

1. What two major forces occurred for Joyce during this disgruntled period in his life?

2. What was the nature of Joyce's work in the 1907-1909 period?

3. What was Joyce like as a college student at University College in Dublin?

4. What type of writing did Joyce find interesting at this time and which author even sent Joyce a letter?

5. What was always an important source of inspiration for Joyce's writing?

6. How was Joyce perceived in the literary community in Dublin in 1902?

7. Describe the salient points of Ellmann's explanation of Joyce's writing of "The Dead".

8. What did Ellmann think were some of the inspirations for Joyce's novel ULYSSES?

9. When did Joyce meet Nora Barnacle and what was she like?

10. Describe Joyce's father, John's, young life in Ireland.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the significance of the book's title. Why does the author call it simply JAMES JOYCE? What was he trying to emphasize with this emphatic style? Suggest three alternate titles for this book with supporting rationale for each.

Essay Topic 2

James Joyce was no stranger to hurt and pain. From what you know of Joyce's life through this book, what were his biggest sorrows and worst betrayals? How did he manage through them? How did his coping skills evidence themselves in many aspects of his life? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the book. Why would writers have a lonely life even though it may have seemed exciting and glamorous to other people? Why would Nora have had an especially lonely life being the wife of James Joyce? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

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