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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. In the "15 June 1905" dream, how many years in the future does the young woman go?

2. What time of the day is it at the beginning of the second Interlude?

3. In the "11 June 1905" dream, imagining the _____________ is no more possible than seeing colors beyond _______________.

4. According to the narrator, in the world described in the "22 May 1905" dream, what happens to people who have had "their vision"?

5. How are events triggered in the world described in the "10 June 1905" dream?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the second Interlude, to what does Besso compare Einstein's present health?

2. Describe the cafe that stands on the corner of Kramgasse and Theaterplatz.

3. What has the young woman at no. 27 Viktoriastrasse missed in her life because of the sudden thrust into the future?

4. Describe what happens between the baker and the woman in the 17 June 1905 dream.

5. Why does the young man in the 17 June 1905 dream leave his lover and tell her he cannot see her again?

6. Describe the way that time is experienced in the 5 June 1905 dream.

7. Describe the two different views people of the 15 June 1905 world can have.

8. In the 22 May 1905 dream, what happens for those who have not seen a glimpse of their future yet?

9. Describe the life of a "Now."

10. Why does the man at the graveside refuse to weep for his deceased friend?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider the representation of time and dreams in the novel. Can you find any links that actualize the parallels between dreams and time? Cite three examples from the text that show commonalities between dreams and time. Discuss these parallels in a comparison essay.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the relationship between Einstein and Besso. Who do you think the relationship is more important to? Why? Who do you think the relationship is more taxing on? Why? Is the relationship relevant to the understanding of the novel? Cite specific examples from the text to support your responses.

Essay Topic 3

Regard the novel as a whole. What did you find meaningful or meaningless? What gave you the most to think about and why? Did any part of the novel cause you to look at life and time and redefine the actions of your own life? What parts of the novel caused this re-defining of your own life? Why? Cite specific examples from the text to support your responses.

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