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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 has Jim been depressed over?

2. What does Jim tell the doctor about Charlotte in the fourth scene of Act 1?

3. What is the setting for Act 1, Scene 5?

4. According to Gregory, what is the patient's responsibility to prove?

5. What does Jim say when he becomes conscious at the end of Act 1, Scene 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Jim's theory about life and death, and why his suicide attempt should not been seen as selfish?

2. What test do the doctors give to Jim in Act 3, Scene 2, and what is the point of it?

3. Why is the conversation between Jim and Ann in the beginning of Act 2, Scene 4 important?

4. How does the nature of the theater and performing arts business during the 1950s lead Jim to believe that he will not be able to regain his former success?

5. What is Jim's state of mind in Act 1, Scene 1, and what does he admit to?

6. What does Jim learn from Miss Wingate about Ann at the end of Act 2, Scene 3?

7. What is interesting about the doctors' ability to assess Jim at this point in the play?

8. How is the convalescent ward compared to a prison sentence?

9. Who is Harry, what is he like, and how does Jim respond to him?

10. How might Harry be able to help Jim, and why doesn't he?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the difference in Jim's mood and behavior in the beginning of the play with how it changes throughout the events that take place. Include what causes the change and whether or not you think it is justified. Use the book as a reference and provide examples for your analysis.

Essay Topic 2

Charlotte is a very interesting character because she was never seen. Explain why you think the author chose to portray her this way. What does she represent for Jim? Why is that important and what does her absence mean for his situation? Describe in what ways Charlotte may have been able to help Jim and how she was prevented from participating in his life. Also, discuss Jim and Charlotte's relationship and why you think he was willing to never see her again by ending his life, despite the fact that she seemed so important to him and turned out to be a great source of hope for him. What reasons could he have had for not sensing her importance before? Was that a mistake on his part? In what way?

Essay Topic 3

Kramm uses various literary devices to make his points in The Shrike.

1) Identify and describe 3 examples of foreshadowing in the play.

2) Identify and describe 3 examples of symbolism in the play.

3) For the above examples, explain what they added to the play, and why the author choose to use them at those specific times.

(see the answer keys)

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