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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. Who invited Darren to stay and have a beer at Ron Williams’ place?

2. What does Jane make herself think about Adam, instead of admitting his behavior?

3. What was Jane told made her Christmas gift special?

4. What advice that Evanson gave to Adam had Jane received from her supervisor?

5. What was it that changed Jonathan’s relationship with Sima?

Short Essay Questions

1. What aspect of Adam’s friends’ culture led to the melee that started with Reynolds and Darren?

2. What was Jonathan’s relationship with Donna Selkie like, and what made is awkward?

3. What is the importance of the painted tissue box?

4. Who are the Phelpses and what was their relation to Jane Gordon?

5. In what condition did Darren wake up at Clinton Lake?

6. What is Adam’s relationship with Peter Evanson?

7. How does Adam characterize his circle’s relationship with Darren?

8. What cause Jane to consciously redirect her thoughts about Adam’s behavior, and how did she do so?

9. What is the one situation that holds numerous times together in the “New York School” chapter?

10. How did the time at the roller rink return seven years later in the basement at Jason’s party?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a character sketch of the author based on his style and content. What can we tell about him, based on the choices he makes in terms of description, characterization and plot? What values does he hold dear? What are his hopes and fears? What kind of person do you think he is? Anchor your sketch in passages in the book.

Essay Topic 2

Evaluate your own reading of The Topeka School—did you resist it, or were you compelled by the story? What does your reading tell you about yourself and your interests? Use specific examples from the book to describe yourself as a reader.

Essay Topic 3

In what way is The Topeka School a bildungsroman (or kunstlerroman)? What are the stages of maturation it narrates? How does the novel draw a distinction between developmental stages, and how does it move characters from one stage to another?

(see the answer keys)

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