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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. After Parker and Kress leave the furnace room, what does Pierce make Pavlo do?

2. Who in Towers's story to the trainees did Towers surprise during World War II?

3. What is happening in the barracks when Ardell first appears to find Pavlo near death?

4. How does Pavlo first respond to the army recruits?

5. What is Pavlo's first question to Ardell after he is attacked in the barracks?

Short Essay Questions

1. What could be surmised about Pavlo's thoughts from his comments to Miller about wanting to be on the front lines in Act 3, Part 2?

2. How does Pavlo's answer Kress regarding stealing and how does this provide an insight into Pavlo's egocentric nature?

3. Theorize as to Parham's purpose in the play besides being another wounded soldier/dead body for Pavlo to save in Act 2, Part 3.

4. How is Pavlo egocentric, almost childish? Explore the ways in which these traits are dramatized.

5. Compare and explain the relationship of Pavlo's enthusiasm for killing and what happens to Parham in Act 2, Part 4.

6. How are the opening scenes of this play different than others? Plot-wise, hypothesize over the purpose of this style of opening.

7. Although Kress seems to be convinced that Pavlo is stupid, is this an accurate assumption? Why or why not?

8. How is Pavlo's understanding of acceptable social engagement impaired? Back up your answer with examples.

9. What key moments in Act 1, Part 4 drive the momentum and energy of the plot forward, and what feeling does that have the potential to create in the audience?

10. How does the scene in which Pavlo grabs the grenade display yet another ironic moment in his seemingly life-long struggle for identity? What character trait seems to remain intact to the very end of his life, possibly leading to his ultimate demise?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Plenty of sides to Pavlo are revealed as the play progresses, but the first to note at this early stage is Pavlo's innocence. Describe how Rabe illustrates Pavlo's innocence with examples to back up your response. How does the fact that Pavlo's innocence seems to remain unaffected by increasingly disturbing situations have the propensity to evoke concern from the audience for Pavlo's welfare as time goes on? Back up your reasoning through citation of examples.

Essay Topic 2

As we get to know Pavlo's character more intimately it is understood that Pavlo becomes more and more fixated on becoming a good soldier. He eventually defines this as not only a good killer but the right kind of killer and one who becomes both experienced and joyful about it.

What is the irony of Pavlo's understanding of how to go about reconciling and rectifying his fixation with his reality? Give at least four examples along with explanations of how this irony could create a dark fate for our protagonist.

Essay Topic 3

Identify, connect, and examine all elements of foreshadowing you can find in this play, not excluding these subjects: A) Pavlo's death (2x's) B) Pavlo's failure with women C) Pavlo's helplessness. Combine all moments of foreshadowing and use them to make your own opinions about Rabe's style and use of foreshadowing.

(see the answer keys)

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