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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 do Ernst and Hanschen vow to do together?

2. What question does Wendla demand an answer for from her mother in Act II, Scene 2?

3. What is Wendla's reaction when Melchior tries to force her away from him?

4. What do Martha and Ilsa bring to Moritz's grave?

5. In Act II, Scene 1, what does Moritz tell Melchior he has been doing constantly?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is significant about Melchior's letter to Wendla?

2. Why do the professors want to expel Melchior from school?

3. Why does Hanschen claim he needs to destroy the picture? How does this represent the views of the town?

4. How does Rentier Stiefel react to Moritz's death?

5. What is the argument between Melchior's parents after Moritz's death?

6. How do Stickytongue and Melchior try to defend "Copulation?"

7. How does Mrs. Bergmann attempt to defend herself from Wendla's anger in Act III, scene 8?

8. What is Hanschen's relationship to "Venus?"

9. What claims does the masked man make to Melchior and Moritz?

10. Why does Melchior consider suicide in the final scene of the play?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How are the adults portrayed in this play? To what purpose are they lampooned? How is the character of Mrs. Gabor used to show the power of adults and the consequences of misunderstanding their children? Is Mrs. Bergmann meant to be a sympathetic character? Why or why not? How does Moritz's father represent the majority of the adults in this play? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the meaning of the title Spring Awakening: A Children's Tragedy.Points to consider include the implications of the season of "spring" being used, the contradictory nature of the main title and subtitle, and the purpose of this specifically being a "children's tragedy."

Essay Topic 3

What is satire? How does Wedekind use it in Spring Awakening: A Children's Tragedy? What is the purpose of presenting satire in the midst of a realistic play? How does this satire (specifically, the scene in which Melchior is expelled) contrast with the rest of the play? Some points to be considered:

- The arguments amongst the professors.

- The names of the professors.

- Mrs. Gabor and Stickeytongue's defense of Melchior.

- The realistic portrayal of the students amongst the professors.

(see the answer keys)

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