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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 does the narrator tell Queeny is in his package?

2. What does the narrator offer the old man who sits down on his bench?

3. What does the narrator want to buy when he tries to find the banker for the second time?

4. What does the narrator call the woman who appears at the window of 2 St. Olaf's Place?

5. What does the narrator call the pawnshop owner?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the narrator decide to return to his old apartment?

2. Why does the narrator suspect Scissors of trying to drive him away?

3. How does the narrator react to the old cripple walking in front of him?

4. What story does the narrator tell the old man?

5. How does the narrator treat the two women?

6. Why does the narrator give his banker friend his tie?

7. How do the hayracks treat the narrator?

8. How does the narrator view the red rocking chair when he decides to leave his apartment for good?

9. Why is the narrator embarrassed by his blanket, and what does he do with it?

10. Why is the narrator glad when the stable-boy asks him for five kroner?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What do you think are the main mistakes the narrator makes in the novel? Why does he keep missing opportunities for food and money? How would you react in a similar situation?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the book's chronological setting. What were the main social concerns of that period in Europe, and how do they relate to the narrator's experience? How would the story change if it were set today?

Essay Topic 3

Towards the end of the novel, desecration becomes a central theme, both in the narrator's thoughts and in events. Discuss the symbolism used by Knut Hamsun. Is the final desecration of his pride an inevitable conclusion to the novel? What do you think are the author's opinions on this pride?

(see the answer keys)

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