View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Pavlo say he loses his temper over in his speech in Act 2, Part 5?

2. What disturbing activity does Brisbey dream of?

3. What does Yen believe about Wall, thus refusing to sleep with him?

4. According to Mickey, what is Joanna planning to send to Pavlo?

5. What was Ardell's second marching song about in Act 2, Part 5?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pavlo's experience with Brisbey is the first of several confrontations Pavlo has with the harsh realities of war and army life. Our journey as audience members is the same as his. We are confronted with graphically portrayed images of the bodies and perspectives of soldiers and civilians alike are mutilated beyond repair, even destroyed, by the way militaristic attitudes teach those willing to believe that violence is not a means to an end, but an end unto itself.

Expand upon the other ways by which Rabe devises his anti-war message to the audience, using examples to back up your thoughts.

Essay Topic 2

Rabe's anti-war message comes through loud and clear in several ways in the final scenes of the play. Find at least 5 moments during which Rabe sends his message and explain how each moment is employed to be clear and strong. Conclude by explaining what you believe might be the play's thematic warning about war in general and what it ultimately offers to humanity.

Essay Topic 3

As the collage takes shape, we see how Pavlo joined the army in order to define himself, and we see how Pavlo ends, with a defined identity as a dead soldier. Using the platform of Rabe's anti-war sentiments that run throughout this play, explore how Rabe's choice to expose Pavlo's death so early on in the play creates an even more powerful statement against the fortunes of war.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 393 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample