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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Tamkin insist upon instead of going to the market?

2. What did Wilhelm sign that would give Tamkin the authority to speculate with his money?

3. When the prices for rye rise, what does Wilhelm want to do?

4. How much money does Tamkin invest?

5. What gift does Tamkin give to Wilhelm?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

In the first chapter, Wilhelm recalls a line of poetry from a college textbook: "Sunk though he be beneath the wat'ry floor..."

Part 1) What do you think this means in the context of the original poem? How does it relate specifically to Wilhelm?

Part 2) This concept of water and sinking reappears throughout the rest of the book. Cite at least 3 examples where this metaphor is used.

Part 3) Why does Wilhelm constantly go back to this line? Why is he so drawn to it?

Essay Topic 3

As Wilhelm suspected, Tamkin ultimately takes off with his money and leaves him to deal with the fallout. Abandonment is a key motif in the story.

Part 1) How does abandonment affect Wilhelm? Why does Tamkin abandon him? Who else abandons Wilhelm?

Part 2) How does Wilhelm's childhood - specifically his relationship with his father - feed his issues of abandonment?

Part 3) Finally, how does abandonment factor into Wilhelm's own family? How does it relate to Margaret? And Wilhelm's sons?

(see the answer keys)

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