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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 Lydia think free expression does?

2. What is the overarching emotion that the newcomer exudes?

3. From where does Zeki Bey think the rebels obtain money?

4. What does Bowles say when asked by Izzet if he has the contract with him?

5. With whom does Pascali notice Bowles having a growing relationship?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is ironic about Pasha buying land from the locals?

2. What are some of the signs of violence/tension that seem just below the surface in Pascali?

3. Describe the presentation of the wax figure of the Saint and how you might interpret this event.

4. Of what do you think the discussion of morality and self-preservation might be symbolic?

5. What seems to suggest that Bowles knows more about the local situation than he pretends?

6. Of what does Pascali warn the Sultan, which taken in historical retrospect is "bad advice"?

7. How does Pascali seem to view the idea of violence in this section?

8. What is the meaning of the phrase utriusque capex and how can this ability be useful to a spy?

9. How does Pascali represent the theme of violence symbolically?

10. How is Pascali's visit to Lydia a metaphor for the Ottoman Empire?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The characters in Pascali's Island are the central focus of the novel; in other words, the characters drive the plot rather than the other way around as is the case in some novels. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Write an in-depth character analysis of Pascali. Include a physical description, personality traits, and what beliefs motivate him. What do you like and dislike about this character? Why? Give specific examples.

2. Write an in-depth character analysis of Bowles. Include a physical description, personality traits, and what beliefs motivate him. What do you like and dislike about this character? Why? Give specific examples.

3. Choose three other characters besides Pascali or Bowles and write about them in relationship to both Bowles and Pascali. Are they friendly or hostile to either main character? Explain with examples. What is their purpose(s) in the story?

Essay Topic 2

In Section 15, Pascali realizes Bowles believes himself to be on a mission from a higher power and that the balance between his zest for archeology and his drive for financial gain has broken, leaving him nearly insane Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text, your research or personal experience:

1. Pascali makes a pretty astute observation about Bowles. What do you think the phrase means--the balance between his zest for archeology and his drive for financial gain has broken leaving him [Bowles] nearly insane. Give examples from the entire book that has lead up to this moment.

2. In "real" life, most of us are at times driven to compromise between two things--sometimes both seem to be necessary evils; sometime one seems necessary, but it conflicts with something else that is only wanted; sometimes it can be a conflict between two things you want, neither which are essential for health and well being. Write about a time in your life when you were torn between two things, both of which you wanted, but which if one was achieved, the other had to be compromised or abandoned.

3. Do you think many people who "go off the deep end" and commit such horrible acts as mass shootings are people who are extremely conflicted by warring wants/natures? Discuss this idea using specific examples.

Essay Topic 3

In Section 9, the symbolic representation of Bowles' arm and Lydia's body as they made love in Pascali's memory shows Pascali's belief that Bowles and he are unique in their ability to blend reality with lies. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text, your research or personal experience:

1. Do you think the ability to blend reality with lies is unique to Pascali and Bowles in the novel? Who else do you think has this ability? Is it an ability? A defect in character? A psychological problem?

2. How about in "real" life--do you know people who blend reality with lies? Give some examples when you have encountered someone who does this. Did it make you distrust the person?

3. Is there ever a good reason to blend reality with lies? What about for emotional protection when a child is in an abusive situation? Ultimately who is most harmed by someone who blends reality with lies--the one doing it or the one who believes the person? Or both?

(see the answer keys)

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