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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 is Dussardier's most prized possession?

2. What does Marie Arnoux do with the roses that her husband gives her at her party?

3. In what language does Marie Arnoux sing during the dinner party?

4. What is the name of Frederic's aristocratic friend from law school whom Frederic considers to be very dim?

5. Why does Madame Moreau refuse to have anything to do with Monsieur Roque?

Short Essay Questions

1. Whom does Frederic see when he opens the door to the first class section? What is his impression of this person?

2. What is the relationship between Frederic and Deslauriers? How did it begin? What planes do they have for the future?

3. What does Hussonet do for a living? What is his professional ambition? What has he done to pursue this dream?

4. Where is the protagonist when the novel begins? What does he look like and what does he have with him?

5. What are some of Frederic's artistic ambitions? What art has he already produced at this point?

6. What situation precludes Frederic and Deslauriers from realizing their plans together? What is Frederic's reaction to his news?

7. When Frederic and Deslauriers begin living together in Chapter 5, what is their relationship like? How do they divide the labor and costs of living?

8. What is Pellerin's attitude toward Realism? What does he believe the real goal of art to be? In his opinion, what is necessary for great art?

9. Which of Frederic's friends are invited to his housewarming party? What is their opinion of his new lifestyle?

10. Who is the host of the costume party to which Arnoux brings Frederic? What is this person's relationship to Arnoux?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the portrait of Rosanette painted by Pellerin. Why is this object significant? How does this object affect Frederic's relationships with other characters? Give at least two examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Death is a major theme in A Sentimental Education. How are the major deaths in the novel described? How does Frederic react to the deaths of his son and Monsieur Dambreuse? What does this reveal about the protagonist?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the symbol of the cashmere shawl in A Sentimental Education. What does this item represent? What does this purchase imply about Jacques Arnoux? How does this aspect of his personality affect his relationship with his wife?

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This section contains 825 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample