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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. Why does Mother Courage draw a black cross for "death"?

2. What is so special about the capon Mother Courage tries to sell?

3. Why won't Swiss Cheese steal the money from the pay box?

4. How much does Mother Courage try to sell the capon to the Cook for?

5. What is Mother Courage's opinion of the commander?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Mother Courage's opinion, why is being seated not revolting?

2. Will the war end now that the commander is dead?

3. In Scene 6, does Mother Courage believe Kattrin will ever find a husband? Why or why not?

4. Why does Mother Courage hesitate to pay for Swiss Cheese's releases?

5. Why does the cook want Mother Courage to come to Utrecht with him?

6. Earlier in the play, would we have expected Mother Courage to go with the cook? Why/how has she changed?

7. What has the chaplain's role shifted to by Scene 5?

8. Why does Kattrin refuse to come out of the wagon through Scene 8?

9. How does Mother Courage calm the young soldier?

10. Does the chaplain see a difference between war and peace?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There can be a fine line between lie and delusion in "Mother Courage".

Part 1: What are characters' relationships with lying and deceit?

Part 2: What are characters' relationships with delusions?

Part 3: What are the cause and effect relationships between these two? What connects them? What is Brecht's purpose in this?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss "humanity" in "Mother Courage".

Essay Topic 3

Discuss what characterizes and defines the climax and denouement of "Mother Courage".

(see the answer keys)

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