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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. Why is Bill kicked out of his hotel?

2. Which of the following is a character Bill meets at the apartment?

3. Where is Bill being watched by agents?

4. In what war was Bill involved?

5. Where does Bill find himself stranded?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Bill escape from the army?

2. What did Bill do after university?

3. How do Bill and Roy get enough money to continue their habits?

4. In what way could the novel be said to be junk driven?

5. Describe the character of Nick.

6. What does Bill Gains and Bill do with the junk when they purchase it?

7. What happens to all the characters mentions in the first 20 pages?

8. What is the difference between Burroughs' use of dialogue when talking to the police and his use of dialogue when talking to friends?

9. Describe Bill's early life.

10. Describe Bill's meeting with the sailor.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the novel, Burroughs has many homosexual encounters.

1) How was homosexuality viewed in the 1930's?

2) How does Burroughs' sexual orientation affect his life? Does it have any bearing on his drug addiction?

Essay Topic 2

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Burroughs use character and dialogue to drive the narrative.

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Away from the main character examine the way Burroughs uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 3

Why is it important that drug addiction is addressed by someone who has experienced it? Do you think Burroughs' views have ever seriously been addressed in America?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 666 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample