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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 happens in Henry's head as Moldorf reads the letter from Fanny, his wife in America?

2. What does Henry think about when he listens to Debussy?

3. What does Henry say about Napoleon?

4. What is the main thing worrying Henry about his writing?

5. What does Nanantatee's friend, Kelpi, do when Nanantatee is not at home?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Henry know about Walter Pach?

2. How does Henry define health that he equates with optimism?

3. What lie does Henry tell the Cronstadts when they invite him to join their meal?

4. Why is Henry so generous with his praise of the prostitute Germaine?

5. Explain how Kelpi makes his living.

6. How does Henry see the American women at the Cafe de la Paix or the Ritz Bar?

7. What are Henry's evenings with Carl like?

8. How does Henry describe the book on which he is working?

9. How does Henry describe the relationship between him, Boris, and Elsa?

10. What is the scene at the beginning of the novel and how does it set up the condition Henry is in while in Paris?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hustling and conning people are important themes of the novel. Using examples from the novel, discuss how it is human nature to be deceitful to get what you want or simply to survive. Discuss any personal experience you have had similar to the events Henry writes about.

Essay Topic 2

Write a paper discussing Henry Miller's attitude toward women. Do you think he is clearly a sexist? Are there moments when he appears to be of two minds about the value of women? Include his thoughts viewing the graffiti on the lavatory walls and the way he looks at Boris' treatment of Elsa.

Essay Topic 3

Pretend you are a newspaper critic and write a summary and critique of THE TROPIC OF CANCER. In your review of the novel, include your recommendation about whether someone should or should not read the book and be specific about your reasons.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 670 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample