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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 did Ray notice about the big Texan with whom he rides?

2. To what do Ray's mother and sister want him to return?

3. What does Ray tell Japhy he wants more than anything else in the world at one particular moment?

4. From where does Japhy say that he and Ray will be able to see the whole white city of San Francisco?

5. What is the first name of Japhy's sister who comes to visit?

Short Essay Questions

1. What realization does Ray have that truly makes him feel free?

2. What is Japhy's reaction to Rhoda's fiance?

3. What does Ray want to do when Japhy suggests they go to the lecture and discussion session?

4. What does Ray realize during one of his meditations he is empowered to do?

5. What does a local confide to Ray when the two become drunk together?

6. What does Ray realize as he settles into his position in the middle of the woods?

7. As Japhy and Ray catch up a bit, what does Ray seem to feel about Japhy's demeanor?

8. What does Japhy do with his girlfriend who tries to board the boat with him to Japan?

9. What does Ray realize about himself once he arrives at his summer job?

10. What does Japhy's father do when he arrives at the party for Japhy's going away?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One might say the sexualized descriptions of the women in this story are an indication of Kerouac's own feelings about women and his own perceptions of women.

Part 1: Describe the female characters who are introduced in this novel.

Part 2: What are the motivations of these women, as one can tell from reading about their actions? What does this say about the author's feelings about women?

Part 3: Which female character is the most important to the story? Why?

Essay Topic 2

There are many symbolic actions in this story that seem to tell the reader more about the character than the narrative actually does.

Part 1: What might be the symbolism of Ray going up the mountain with Japhy? What is the purpose of this trip?

Part 2: What is the purpose and the symbolism of Ray going up Desolation Peak by himself?

Part 3: What does Japhy's eventual journey to Japan seem to symbolize about his growth and his direction in life?

Essay Topic 3

At times, Ray seems to be almost a student of Japhy's, listening to everything he says and watching everything Japhy does.

Part 1: What does Ray want to learn from Japhy at the beginning of the manuscript?

Part 2: Is Japhy comfortable with the role of being a teacher? Why or why not?

Part 3: What does Japhy have to learn from Ray, as the story progresses?

(see the answer keys)

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