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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 does Dan say about Bukowski's writing in No Stockings?

2. In A Quiet Conversation Piece, who does Bukowski sit with?

3. Who tears an item of Mad Jimmy's?

4. What does the desk clerk give Frank?

5. Where does Frank go after receiving the object from the clerk?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Bukowski realize in the jail cell in No Stockings?

2. What does the young boy represent in Love it or Leave it?

3. Describe Duke's relationship with Lala in A .45 to Pay the Rent.

4. What is Harry driven by in Reunion?

5. How does Bukowksi obey social conventions when attending the wedding in The Great Zen Wedding?

6. How does the boyfriend choose to interpret his girlfriend's insult in Too Sensitive?

7. What does Bukowski think of revolution in contrast to Maxie in A Quiet Conversation Piece?

8. Describe the character of Signo in The Stupid Christs.

9. In Cunt and Kant and a Happy Home, describe the highs and lows of Jack Hendley's horse races.

10. Describe the moral code of prison in Scenes from the Big Time.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Animal Crackers in My Soup" has an abrupt and somewhat unusual conclusion. What happens in the conclusion? What does the baby represent? Why does the story end the way it does? Make sure you answer each question with evidence and support from the story.

Essay Topic 2

In "I Shot a Man in Reno," runs into several people that cause him to be very self-critical. Why is Bukowski so self-critical? How do his own ideas of himself contrast with the ideas others have of him? Make sure you answer each question with evidence and support from the story.

Essay Topic 3

"Would You Suggest Writing as a Career?" and "The Great Zen Wedding" both contain characters who have an unusual view towards women. Describe the main characters' views of women from both stories. How do you explain the violent attitude toward women in both stories? What does each character hope to achieve by gaining control over women? What do you make of the women's responses to his overtures? Make sure you answer each question with evidence and support from the stories.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 691 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample