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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. Which poem is considered the strangest in the collection?

2. Which is Bukowski's essential argument in "Fractional Note"?

3. In "Over Done," why does Chinaski not enjoy the company of his old acquaintance?

4. What is one of Chinaski's friends named in "Song"?

5. Chinaski consoles himself that many men become which of the following over time?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is Bukowski seixst? Why or why not?

2. In "Help Wanted," what does Chinaski fear?

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

4. What common theme runs through the poems "Practice," "My Buddy," John Edgar Webb," and "Love Poem to a Stripper"?

5. Describe the poem "The Lady in the Castle."

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

7. Describe Chinaski's thought process in "Everybody Talks Too Much."

8. Describe the argument that Bukowski makes in "Fractional Note."

9. What does the lion in "Invasion" represent?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Chinaski defend a listless and lazy lifestyle? In addition, explain how Chinaski laments the lie of the American dream and why he does this.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze Chinaski's domestic life. Is domestic life portrayed as positive or negative? Is Chinaski's opinion of domestic life genuine? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss and analyze one metaphor that Chinaski has created in one of his poems to relate to modern American culture and interactions.

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