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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 kind of work is Henry doing that is not very creative?

2. What was Carl's problem with Irene?

3. What does Henry want to see in the Pension Orfila?

4. What is the best thing Henry notes about Kruger, the painter and sculptor?

5. How do Fillmore and Henry deal with the cold flat?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Henry feel going to his room in the dark dormitory late at night?

2. What makes Henry think about the high born women of Paris?

3. Describe the scene when Yvette comes in drunk and half naked to Jimmie's bar.

4. Why does Henry think it is a sorry state to be human?

5. Give a brief description of Van Norden.

6. When the blonde woman stays away too long and leaves Henry alone in her room, what does he do?

7. What is the one thing that makes Van Norden's dump of a hotel acceptable?

8. Describe the idea Henry and Carl get from Van Norden.

9. Explain how Henry is helped from Kruger's studio.

10. Why does Kruger evict Henry from his studio?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Miller addresses the idea of the artist suffering for his or her art. Do some research and and compare Henry's suffering with some other writers and artists who went through difficult times in order to produce masterpieces. You might want to include such people as Edgar Allen Poe, James Fenimore Cooper, Michelangelo, or Edith Piaf in your essay.

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

A difficult time for Henry was when he was employed and had to, as he put it, kiss the boss's ass. Write a paper on the difficulty of being an employee and having to suppress your personal feelings and ideas because of a dictatorial boss.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 597 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample