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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 twentieth century play does Paul quote in his thesis?

2. What film option does Flan think may be a nice alternative for Paul's father's movie?

3. In what country does Paul say he grew up?

4. As Flan describes his dream, he says that he does not treat his painting like what?

5. What does Paul's thesis conclude is "God's gift" to us (34)?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are Rick and Elizabeth?

2. How does Trent Conway assist Paul in his fraud?

3. What is Ouisa's essential fear about the fate of Paul of the play?

4. What do the parents ask their children to do in this section?

5. What mistake does Ouisa make while trying to apply first aid to Paul?

6. What comparison does Geoffrey make regarding New York as he discusses dinner?

7. What is Flan's attitude toward the art he sells?

8. Why does Flan give Paul fifty dollars after Geoffrey leaves?

9. Why does Flan repeatedly try to silence his wife's narration throughout this section?

10. Why is Flan in awe of his children's second grade teacher?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The story of Six Degrees of Separation is related to the audience int he manner of a cocktail party anecdote. Write an essay on the role of the anecdote throughout the play:

Part 1) How is the story of the Kittredges' night with Geoffrey the central anecdote of the play? To what extent does the rest of the play stem from Ouisa and Flan's attempt to fully explain this anecdote?

Part 2) The story of Rick's suicide is the one major anecdote of the play not related by the Kittredges. How do Kitty and Larkin frame the story of this most harrowing of plot points? In what way does the anecdote intentionally fall flat at the end?

Part 3) What is Ouisa's complaint about the anecdote at the end of the play? How has she reached a point in her life where the anecdote is a sickening item to her? To what extent does she reject the frame of the play at the end?

Essay Topic 2

Time and again in this narrative, the question of race in America crops up. Write an essay on the idea of race in the world of this play. Do the Kittredges seem to have any other black acquaintances besides Paul? What realities of black life in America does he bring into their lives? What darker realities about race arise from the polite liberal facade of the parents in the play?

Essay Topic 3

Much of the plot of Six Degrees of Separation involves wealthy members of rarified New York dealing with the other half of society. Write an essay about the Kittredges' interaction with less affluent characters. How do they relate to each other? In what ways do the Kittredges and their friend find dealing in this other world frustrating?

Part 1) The Hustler

Part 2) The Detective

Part 3) Elizabeth

(see the answer keys)

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