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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 occurs between Michel, Lina, and the narrator while at Michel's apartment?

2. What is Manuel's favorite way of arousing himself?

3. Despite having broken through her frigidness with Donald, what does Dorothy discover about her love life with Robert?

4. For what reason do Maria and Novalis have their first argument?

5. Why is the mysterious woman not afraid of Louis swimming with her?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Lina angry about the narrator's lovers?

2. How does Michel seduce Lina?

3. How does Manuel plan to entice the schoolgirls to his apartment?

4. How does Louis "court" the woman in the ocean before he tries to make love to her?

5. Describe Robert and Dorothy's relationship from the time to they meet until the time they first make love.

6. Why does Dorothy become frigid to Robert and how does she attempt to handle it?

7. For what reasons does Manuel want to move into the apartment with the terrace?

8. Why does Edna marry Harry and how does she grow apart from him?

9. Why will Maria never allow her husband to see her nude and rarely poses for him?

10. What happens have Lina, Michel, and the narrator sleep together?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role of artists and art in this book. Be sure that your answer covers how the occupation of some of these artists reflect upon their characters, temperament, and the author's tendency to portray the characters as bohemians, as well as how it relates to their sexuality. Besides this, also discuss times when these ideas are subverted with another character and how that relate to the portrayal of artists.

Essay Topic 2

What is the difference between erotica and pornography? Why is one considered to be more acceptable? How does "Little Birds" fall into the category of erotica? Do you personally agree with these assessments? Why or why not? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

One of the continuing themes of this book is to rejoice in life, no matter what is happening around you. How is this used in stories such as "the Woman on the Dunes," "Two Sisters," and "Sirocco?" What is the purpose of these characters using sex to express the joy and unhappiness in their lives? How is this seen in regards to characters who have unfulfilled sexual needs (such as Novalis in "The Maja")? How does this relate to the ephemeral nature of a sexual encounter, as seen in "the Woman on the Dunes?" Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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