View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where did Severian get the book that he reads to Jonas?

2. When Part 2 begins, who is Severian's assistant?

3. What does Vodalus tell Severian to throw away?

4. What does the letter say Thecla did?

5. What does Severian throw a coin into while in the House of Absolute?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Severian remind Vodalus of when he and Jonas are brought before Vodalus?

2. During the last play in the book, what happens that makes Severian think there will be a lot of trouble?

3. What do the witches in the castle assure Severian and Dorcas of concerning Jolenta?

4. What happens when Severian shows the Claw in the cave while the beasts are surrounding him?

5. Why is Severian unable to kill Agia?

6. What does the magic fountain show Severian when he throws a coin into it?

7. Why does Severian stop to look for his missing sword before he leaves the cave where the beasts attacked him?

8. Why does Barnoch look half dead when Severian first sees him?

9. When Severian finds Dr. Talos and the others in the garden at the House of Absolute, what is Dr. Talos doing?

10. How does Jonas hope to find a way to fix himself?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is justice used in Shadow & Claw? Which characters mete out justice? Which events show characters delivering punishment that could be seen as unjust? What do these examples of justice and unjust punishment reveal about the author and his views?

Essay Topic 2

Describe what Severian's reaction to Thecla's letter reveals about his character? Why do you think a man in his position could be somewhat naive and gullible?

Essay Topic 3

What importance do character names have in a novel? Choose three character names from Shadow & Claw and discuss why the author might have chosen these names. What do the names mean and what feelings or images do they invoke?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 605 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample