View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Seize the Day," what makes the grotesque man popular?

2. In "From an Old Dog in his Cups," what relationship is explored?

3. What point is made in "Trying to Make It"?

4. In "Marching Through Georgia," which of the following does Chinaski use to describe the world?

5. How does Chinaski think every older person wants to die?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is Bukowski seixst? Why or why not?

2. What allegory is present in "The Death of a Splendid Neighborhood"?

3. Describe Chinaski's feelings for the woman in "The Beautiful Lady Editor."

4. Describe Bukowski's portrayal of populism in his poems.

5. What is the message of "Trying to Make It"?

6. How and why does Chinaski focus on domestic life in some of the poems?

7. Describe the feelings Bukowski portrays in "Party's Over."

8. What metaphor is used in the poem "Seize the Day"?

9. How does Bukowski use gallows humor and vaudeville in his poems?

10. How does Chinaski feel about the beautiful lady editor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Bukowski's overall view of the world. Why does he see the world as mostly negative? What things are positive in the world, according to Bukowski? Why?

Essay Topic 2

What are some of the themes evident in the poems Bukowski has written? Identify at least three of these themes and provide specific examples from the text showing how the theme is created.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the way in which Bukowski uses gallows humor, vaudeville, and irony in at least two of his poems. Find at least two specific examples from each of these two poems.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 816 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample