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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. After botching the first lecture, Hank's father was confident he could return to the classroom and lecture again. What was the name of the student that was last on the roll?

2. What can Hank tell from from the lights in his hiding place in the ceiling?

3. In the Epilogue, what sport does Hank get a lot of enjoyment from?

4. What does Hank's mother make obvious to Hank after he almost runs her over?

5. In the Epilogue, who has become the new dean of Railton College?

Short Essay Questions

1. Hank goes back to his office after seeing his mother on the street. What happens to him there and what does he immediately do?

2. How did Devereaux Sr. attempt to cope with his problem?

3. In Chapter 31, what does Tony tell Hank about Yolanda Ackles?

4. Where does Hank go after he visits Paul Bourke's place? What happens there that upsets Hank?

5. After Hank teaches his class and finds out that his student Leo is actually responsible for killing the birds on campus, Hank goes to see the dean, Jacob Rose. What does Jacob tell him? How does Hank react? What happens after this?

6. What happened to Devereaux Sr. not long after arriving at his new post?

7. What has happened to Hank's father and mother, according to the Epilogue?

8. On Monday morning, Hank gets a call from Lou Steinmetz. What is Lou's job and what does he ask Hank about? Who calls Hank right after Lou? What does he tell Hank?

9. When Hank finally goes to see his father in his new house in Railton, what is Hank's reaction? How does he react to what his father says about the writer Charles Dickens?

10. What is the status of Hank and Lily's daughters? What are they doing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The setting refers to the time and the place where a story takes place. Compare and contrast the settings of "Straight Man" regarding time. How does it compare to the childhood he describes in the Epilogue to Book One? Cite at least three examples from the book where Russo discusses how the setting, in reference to time, has changed.

Essay Topic 2

What role does the Devereaux family play in the novel "Straight Man"? Are they as important to the narrative as the author and the environment he is in? Give four examples where the four different members of the family are central to the story-telling. Give four examples where the narrative is focused only on Hank and the environment he works in.

Essay Topic 3

For the better part of the novel, Hank seems to be suffering what is popularly known as mid-life crisis. What actions and reactions of Hank's show that he might be having a crisis of identity? Explain where this crisis of identity might arise from.

(see the answer keys)

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