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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who owns the Jean-Bart mine?

2. Where does Etienne see Jeanlin go one evening?

3. What does Rasseneur feel about the strike?

4. When is the provident fund started by Etienne empty?

5. How do the soldiers respond to the miners?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The situation is desperate, with the miners having no food or heat. Zola draws an analogy of lack of coal as a source of collective energy (for the houses), which is correlated with the lack of food, a source of personal energy (for the body).

1. Discuss two other analogies that Zola uses in the miners' situation.

2. Do you think Zola's analogies are meant to be ambivalent to be powerful? Why or why not?

3. Would he have strengthened his position better with more concrete writing?

Essay Topic 2

The first chapter also introduces the "monster," which is the huge cone-like structure set over the pit that is described as a beast ready to eat the men that slave for it.

1. How did you feel about the mine from the way Zola described it?

2. Using metaphors and analogy describe the mine as Zola sees it.

3. Why do you think Zola used metaphors in his descriptions?

Essay Topic 3

Zola uses a writing style and a combination of techniques that are equivalent to the painting style and techniques of the late nineteenth century impressionists.

1. How do you think Zola's writing style relates to the theme and plot of the book?

2. How do you think the impact of the book would change had Zola used a more concrete writing style?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 307 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample