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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. In Chapter 6, Vosdanik explains that to the cult of lonely men, words are the vessels of what?

2. In Chapter 7, Owen claims to be good at finding what when studying faith?

3. When did Kathryn begin her work with Owen?

4. Into what country is James arriving at the beginning of Book 2?

5. In Chapter 3, what trip does James discuss with Rowser?

Short Essay Questions

1. What explanation of the language cult's motives does Vosdanik offer in Chapter 6?

2. Why does James Axton like having late-night talks with Owen and Kathryn?

3. In Chapter 4, what plan does Kathryn have for after her dig ends?

4. What does James Axton do in Europe?

5. Describe Kathryn and James' argument in Chapter 5?

6. Why is Owen uncomfortable talking about the Feast of the Virgin in Chapter 2?

7. How is Owen's connection to the cave people addressed in Chapter 4?

8. Describe the awkward lunch at the beginning of Chapter 7.

9. Describe Owen Brademas.

10. What strange coincidence does James notice at the end of Chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about Owen Brademas and his function thematically in the narrative. Based on first impressions from the opening chapters, what does Owen value above all else in life? What does he want to achieve? Discuss how these objectives drive Owen to seek out the cult, and how his skills make him the most effective of the searchers. Why does he become paralyzed by the prospect of meeting the cult? How does his experience with them leave him?

Essay Topic 2

James Axton's relationships with women change dramatically over the course of The Names. In certain respects, he is paralyzed throughout with the narrative by his inability to connect emotionally with a woman. Write an essay about this transition in three parts:

Part 1) What is the state of James Axton's marriage to Kathryn at the beginning of the play? Why are the two of them separated? How does the living situation at the beginning of the novel seem prepared to break apart, and what series of events effectively ends their marriage?

Part 2) How does James's interaction with Janet Ruffing typify his relationship with the female gender after his marriage ends? What does this attitude toward sex do for his outlook? Is he more or less happy than when he was married? What is DeLillo saying about marriage in this regard?

Part 3) Discuss James's relationship with Ann Maitland. What do the two have in common? How do these similarities create a deeper connection that transcends James's general attitude toward women? Discuss how this relationship matures, and what this means.

Essay Topic 3

In the latter half of The Names, James Axton develops several female entanglements that serve as temporary place-fillers for his lost family. Write an essay about these three: Janet Ruffing, Del Nearing, and Ann Maitland. How does Ruffing fulfill his sexual needs as a man? How does Nearing fulfill his paternal needs after the essential loss of Tap? Discuss, lastly, how Ann Maitland provides the most complete relationship for him. What are the defining attributes of this relationship? How does their final moment in the novel resonate as particularly significant?

(see the answer keys)

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