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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. For what publication was Hemingway working when he would sometimes rewrite submissions for practice?

2. At the start of "Why I Write," Didion says that "writing is the act of saying" (42) what?

3. What was Didion suffering from which became one of the images used in her novel A Book of Common Prayer?

4. What tennis player's behavior did Richardson say was "glorious" accordion to Didion in "Long Distance Runner"?

5. What did Mary Hemingway allow Carlos Baker to do in his book published after Hemingway's death?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Didion say of Richardson's often contrary behavior?

2. In "Why I Write," why does Joan say she writes?

3. What surprised Didion after Richardson's death upon reading his manuscript?

4. What example does Didion cite as proof that Hemingway did not want his letters to be published after his death in "Last Words"?

5. What does Didion say about the way she thinks, or does not think, at the start of "Why I Write"?

6. Describe the scene from "Long Distance Runner" when Didion and her husband arrive at St. Tropez to pick up their daughter.

7. In "Telling Stories," how does Joan describe what she learned about writing while working at Vogue?

8. What does Didion say about the title for her talk "Why I Write" at the start? From whom did she steal the title and what did she like about it?

9. In "Some Women," what does Didion say about what artists do and do not like to talk about with regard to their art?

10. What does Didion say about Yoko Ono in "Some Women"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a detailed analysis of Didion's feelings in "Last Words" regarding the posthumous publication of Hemingway's works and letters. Use direct examples from the story that show Didion's feelings.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing Didion's commentary on the Vietnam War in "Fathers, Sons, and Screaming Eagles." How is this war different from World War II, which Skip and Walt fought in during the 1940s? Do you know what Didion's thoughts are about the war? If so, how?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay analyzing Didion's relationship with the written word. Use the following stories as reference: "Alicia and the Underground Press," "Why I Write," "Telling Stories," and "Last Words." Consider examples that show Didion's level of respect for the written word as well as her respect for other writers. Also, include why Didion herself writes and how she sees herself as a writer.

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