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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. About what does Herzog write the President?

2. Where did Herzog and Madeleine first live?

3. What is odd about Lucas?

4. For whom does Herzog leave his first wife and lover?

5. Who says, "...if existence is nausea then faith is an uncertain relief"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Herzog write a letter in his mind to Sandor Himmelstein?

2. What reminds Herzog of Madeleine?

3. Why does Ramona call Herzog at the beginning of Chapter 5?

4. Why does Herzog go to Europe?

5. What does Madeleine tell the police that might hurt Herzog?

6. Why does Herzog go shopping for clothes?

7. In Chapter 6, what does Herzog do the next morning with Ramona?

8. What does Herzog say to Ramona during their encounter at the Tuttles?

9. Describe the house in Ludeyville on Herzog's return trip.

10. Why does Herzog call Simkin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A theme in the novel is the idea of redemption. How does the story highlight this idea? How does the story move towards redemption? What do the main characters do to complete the task of attaining redemption? Use specific examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

The desire for change is one of the themes in Saul Bellow's novel. Herzog's letters show a desire for change both in society and in himself. Compare Herzog in the beginning, the middle or climax, and the end of the novel. How does Herzog change throughout the story? How does society change around him? Do Herzog and society change at all or do they remain the same? Use specific examples from the text in the response.

Essay Topic 3

Herzog is father to two children - Marco and June. Describe his paternal relationship with each of his children. How is Herzog's father role similar or different to the role his father played in Herzog's life? Use specific examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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