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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 career did Wilhelm's mother encourage him to try?

2. What does Maurice Venice turn out to be?

3. Why is Margaret happy with the way things are?

4. Who is the only person who believes that Catherine is an artist?

5. What are Wilhelm and Tamkin doing together at the beginning of the novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 4, what is the reason that Tamkin cannot invest as much money in the stock market as Wilhelm?

2. Why does Dr. Adler say he won't give Catherine any money for her art?

3. As Wilhelm walks Mr. Rappaport to get cigarettes, what story does he hear?

4. Why is Wilhelm's relationship with Margaret complicated at this point in the story?

5. What does Wilhelm notice about Tamkin's clothes in Chapter 5?

6. Tamkin and Wilhelm are equal partners, but Tamkin invested less than Wilhelm. What does Wilhelm think about how Tamkin might use this to his advantage?

7. What is the one item that Wilhelm tells Dr. Adler he wanted most when he left Margaret and why?

8. Is Maurice Venice truly interested in Wilhelm? Why or why not?

9. What does Wilhelm hope to receive from Mr. Rappaport in Chapter 5?

10. In Chapter 6, Tamkin also shares the story of his wife. What became of her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Foreshadowing is a literary device that is used quite often in the book.

Part 1) What is foreshadowing?

Part 2) Cite 3 examples of foreshadowing and how they're used in the text.

Part 3) Why is foreshadowing important in this particular story? What effect does it have on us as readers?

Essay Topic 2

The title of the book, Seize the Day, is used twice in the text, by two different characters.

Part 1) What does "seize the day" mean?

Part 2) Who uses the phrase? Is it used differently the first time it's used and the second? Why or why not?

Part 3) Why do you think Saul Bellow chose this title for his book?

Essay Topic 3

The relationship between Dr. Adler and Wilhelm is very complex and volatile.

Part 1) Do you think their relationship changes from the beginning of the book to the end? Why or why not?

Part 2) Wilhelm constantly questions his love for his father. Do you think there is love in this relationship? Why do you think that?

Part 3) Does Wilhelm's relationship with his father help us to better understand Wilhelm's character? Why or why not? Cite specific examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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