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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 Conrad use as a name for hotel reservations at the Jefferson Davis?

2. How is Kreton dressed?

3. To what does Kreton compare his head vibrations?

4. Where does the spaceship land?

5. What is on Reba's mind at the end of Act 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. Kreton notes that war is the specialty of humans. Is this true?

2. What happens when Powers threatens to take Kreton's ship apart?

3. Explain why Roger is upset about Powers' revelations on the UFO, and what he tries to do about it.

4. Explain why Kreton knows being found by Delton 4 would be difficult.

5. What does Powers tell Roger about the reality of the UFO, and why does he threaten to indict Roger under the Revised Espionage Act?

6. Kreton makes a comment about why humans are odd when it comes to sex being taboo. Explain his opinion.

7. Aside from the politics of war, what does Powers complain will suffer as a result of this war?

8. Why does the fight excite Kreton?

9. Delton 4 promises to turn time backward, so that none of the events in the play occurred. What good things will thus be erased, as well?

10. Is Powers' treatment of the aide justified? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The role of women in "modern" society is another theme that runs throughout the novel. Reba and Ellen play two drastically different characters in the play, and Vidal seems to be representing two sides of the same coin with their behaviors. Compare and contrast the roles of Ellen and Reba to discover their representation of women in the novel. What are their reactions to things? Why do they react the way they do? What does this say about their representation of women? Do their behaviors change? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

What do you think Vidal was trying to say about the political situation of the world in the 1950s? Why? What are possible reasons for this? What was he trying to say about the U.S. government? About the Russian government? Be sure to be very specific in your answer, and include information from the book to back your argument.

Essay Topic 3

In the play, Kreton admits his race no longer has sex as a result of the immortal status. What does this mean for his race, in terms of personal relationships? Do you think relationships would be as rewarding without sex or passion? Why? Could this explain Kreton's lack of moral behaviors? Why or why not? What would a lack of personal relationships do, psychologically, to an individual? Why?

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