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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 does Angel's sister offer to Profane that he rejects?

2. What is the name of the rat that the priest describes in his journal as wanting to be a sister?

3. Who does Angel hit in the clubhouse?

4. Who does Rachel see sneaking out of the apartment in her coat?

5. What does Rachel say that Stencil wrote in his note?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Herbert Stencil's purpose?

2. What is Fairing's Parish and how did it get its name?

3. Describe Waldetar.

4. Describe Rachel Owlglass.

5. Why does Profane leave his friends?

6. Why is Gaucho arrested?

7. Describe Benny Profane in Chapter 1.

8. What is the plan concocted by the two men outside the wine shop and what does Gaucho propose?

9. Describe Victoria in Chapter 7.

10. Describe Lepsius.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pynchon is known for paying homage to various authors and works of literature. Choose at least four references used in the book. Write at least 250 words on each reference. Also add your opinion as to why Pynchon chose that particular author or reference.

Essay Topic 2

Politics are also referred to in the book. Pynchon refers to the politics in the German colonization of Africa in 1922. In V., the author devotes an entire chapter to this. Do you think this political story is a vital part of the book? Why or why not? Explain. How else could Pynchon incorporate politics into the book? Also examine the use of politics in relationships.

Essay Topic 3

Describe some of the settings for the stories. What is the overall setting? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. Why did the author choose to use these places in the stories?

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This section contains 729 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample