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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. Who is sitting near Pnin while he is traveling in Chapter 1?

2. As a teacher, how would Pnin be described?

3. Where does Pnin make his first stop in Chapter 1 while traveling?

4. In Chapter 3, how does Pnin feel about having to bring the book back to the library?

5. How soon after Mrs. Clements tells Pnin he can stay at their house does Pnin arrive?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Pnin so horrified at the possibility of losing his suitcase in Chapter 1?

2. What do Joan and Pnin learn they have in common from their discussion in Chapter 2?

3. How does Liza use Pnin to get to America?

4. What happens during Pnin's class that is embarrassing in Chapter 3?

5. What does Pnin discover from the librarian that is surprising to him in Chapter 3?

6. Describe Pnin's fellow professor, Oleg Komarov.

7. How does Laurence Clements feel about Pnin staying in his house?

8. What does the library request of Pnin in Chapter 3?

9. What happens when Pnin tries to get his suitcase back from the man at the station in Chapter 1?

10. Why has the daughter of Laurence and Joan Clements left home, and what do they now have available?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the Clementses and their relationship with Pnin, comparing their first impressions of Pnin to how they end up feeling about Pnin. What kind of people are the Clementses? How does Pnin know them? What do Pnin and Joan bond over? What are some examples from the book that demonstrate the Clementses beginning to like Pnin?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the character of Liza and her overall affect on Pnin's life. What kind of person is Liza? Did she truly ever love Pnin or was she always using him? Why can't Pnin see Liza for what she truly is? How does Pnin behave when he is around Liza? Is Liza a good influence on Pnin?

Essay Topic 3

The author gives many details about Pnin's personality through description and with flashbacks. Analyze the use of flashbacks used in the novel "Pnin". How does the use of flashbacks help to develop the characters? Are the flashbacks used in "Pnin" important for the development of his character? Are flashbacks confusing or helpful?

(see the answer keys)

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