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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. What adjective does Kreton use to describe hydrogen?

3. What does Ellen say she would like to do that is important?

4. What type of trip does Kreton say the trip to Earth was?

5. Where does the spaceship land?

Short Essay Questions

1. Do you think Powers should be directing any military action, knowing he has never been in battle? Why or why not?

2. What plans do Ellen and Conrad have, and what are they planning to tell the others at dinner?

3. Why does the aide think of when his thoughts are broadcast? What is the result?

4. Ellen accuses Kreton of being a vampire of emotions. Do you agree?

5. Is the use of Kreton as a governmental weapon right?

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

7. What does Kreton's statement about the food Ellen brings indicate about his position on eating meat?

8. How does raising the rifles in the world help to start a war?

9. What is each character thinking at the end of Act I?

10. The book makes reference to Ellen as playing Joan of Arc. What is meant by this?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the play, Vidal references the standing political condition between Russia and the United States, often referred to as the Cold War. Choose one of the following to discuss.

1. Why do you think Vidal bases the novel on the Cold War fears of the United States military? What is he trying to say about the suspicious nature of both sides? What threats exist in such a suspicious environment, as is shown by the creation of hostilities by Kreton? What could such conditions result in?

2. Examine one specific comment in the play that refers to the feelings against Russians by the United States. Discuss the comment in terms of historical significance. What does such a comment tell you about the political situation in the time this play was written? What does the inclusion of such comments indicate in terms of Vidal's position on the Cold War? Why?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

There is a scene in the play in which Kreton is served breakfast by Ellen, which consists, in part, of bacon. Answer the following in relation to that scene.

1. What is Kreton's reaction to the bacon? Why? What is Ellen's response? What does this say about Ellen's opinions of eating meat? What does this say about Kreton's opinions of eating meat? What was Vidal trying to say by having the "superior" creature refuse to eat meat? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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