Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. To what animal does Nathan's father compare Sidney?
2. What month does the narrator reference in the opening of Chapter 1?
3. What do the neighbors call Nathan's father?
4. Where did the narrator grow up?
5. What job does Nathan do three days a week?
Short Essay Questions
1. Why does Zuckerman begin writing a letter to his father as he sits in Lonoff's study?
2. What is one of the most admirable things about Lonoff for Zuckerman?
3. Why does Zuckerman's father say everyone stopped by on the Sunday Zuckerman was home before leaving for Quahsay?
4. Why does Zuckerman's father go to Judge Leopold Wapter with the "Higher Education" story?
5. Why does Zuckerman's mother call Quahsay?
6. Why does Zuckerman contact Lonoff?
7. How does Zuckerman come to Quahsay?
8. Describe Lonoff's living room as Zuckerman sees it in Chapter 1.
9. What does Zuckerman think might be a good idea for a writer based on the reactions of the New York party-goers at the publishing party?
10. What does Zuckerman's father not like about the "Higher Education" story?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
In "The Ghost Writer," Roth explores the idea of an author's responsibility to his subjects and characters. Write a response exploring how this idea of responsibility is portrayed in the story. How does Roth connect this idea to the characters in the story? How is Roth responsible for the subjects and characters in the story? How are the writers in the story responsible for their own subjects and characters? Use specific references to the text in the response.
Essay Topic 2
In "The Ghost Writer," Roth uses the theme of the importance and role of family. What role does family play for each main character (Amy, Lonoff, Hope, Zuckerman)? How is each characters' family portrayed? How do the characters' families influence the book's plot? Use specific references to the story in the response.
Essay Topic 3
Philip Roth is a Jewish writer, and many of his books focus on the treatment and conditions of Jews in America. "The Ghost Writer" is no exception to this topic. Write a response exploring how Roth views the treatment and status of Jews through "The Ghost Writer." How are Jews portrayed in the book? How does the portrayal reflect Roth's own beliefs and interpretation of the treatment of Jews? Use specific references to the text in the response.
This section contains 919 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |