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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 Pascali think Bowles despises Pascali?

2. What does Bowles say about the stranger with whom he was speaking?

3. What does Pascali think Lydia has been doing?

4. What does Pascali figure out about how Bowles will remove the statue from the island?

5. What does the note from Bowles say?

Short Essay Questions

1. By this section, can we be certain as to whether Pascali is a reliable narrator?

2. When you read that Bowles does not show up at the hotel for his meeting with Izzet, are you surprised?

3. How does Pascali miss an important clue about Bowles because of Pascali's own desires?

4. What is some information that Pascali has learned in this section and do you think any of the information will determine a course of action for Pascali?

5. Explain how Pascali and Bowles agree again to be allies and whether you think either man is sincere.

6. In what position does Bowles place Pascali in not meeting with Izzet at the hotel and how is this ironic?

7. What do you think is a possible instance of foreshadowing in this section?

8. How do you think Pascali's perception of Bowles relationship to Pascali enables Pascali to rationalize his blackmail of Bowles?

9. Why do you think Pascali continues to let Bowles dictate the terms of their interaction?

10. Why do you think Pascali blends reality and illusion to create realism in imaginary settings?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pascali seems convinced that his death (at the hands of an assassin) is imminent. Much of what he does is motivated from a sense of self-preservation. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Give the reasons Pascali thinks he has been found out to be a spy. Do they seem valid?

2. How does Pascali think he himself inadvertently "outed" himself as a spy? Give examples. Are the reasons he give ones that would make you suspect someone of being a spy?

3. After Pascali meets up with Politis in section 8, the exchange between the two of them changes Pascali's thoughts about whether the townspeople have figured out he is a spy. How does he change? Does this change seem logical and based on solid reasoning?

4. At the end of the book, Pascali is again waiting for his death, thinking that there are those who want to kill him. What seems to be the truth to you? Is Pascali in danger? Why or why not? Was he ever in danger throughout the entire book? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

As the novel opens and then moves along to its conclusion, some characters seem to be more different from each other than first appears and some seem more alike to each other than first appears. Choose one of the following and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Compare the character of Pascali from who he seems to be during the first six sections to the person Pascali seems to be in sections 7-16. How is he alike? How different? Which "person" do you like the best? Why? How is Pascali more alike and more different from Bowles at the end then at the beginning?

2. Compare the character of Bowles from who he seems to be during the first seven sections to the person Bowles seems to be in sections 7-16. How is he alike? How different? Which "person" do you like the best? Why? How is Bowles more alike and more different from Pascali at the end then at the beginning?

3. Compare and contrast Lydia, Dr. Hogan, Izzet, and Herr Gesing from who they seem to be when they are first introduced to who they are revealed to be by the end of the story. How much do they either change or become who they really are? Who did you like at first and then dislike by the end of the story--and vice versa?

Essay Topic 3

In Section 5, Pascali notes his position of "utriusque capex" in both religion and sexuality. 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. Research and define the phrase "utriusque capax." What language is it? Why would Pascali be using this language? How is this phrase apropos for Pascali? Give specific examples.

2. The phrase "utriusque capax" is used in a few fields--psychology (Jungian), alchemy and music. Choose one of these areas and discuss what the phrase means in that field giving specific examples.

3. It seems that a person who is able to be capable of both (a loose translation of the phrase "utriusque capax") would make an excellent spy. Choose to defend or argue against that idea using examples from the text and personal knowledge.

(see the answer keys)

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