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 does the family often go to rest?

2. Where does the cousin work?

3. Where do the men go for entertainment?

4. Who does Sally visit after the young man vanishes?

5. Fraulein Mayr belongs to which organization?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Christopher's final thoughts on the events of the past several years?

2. Peter shows several instances of mental illness. Describe the illness and what Peter has chosen to do about it.

3. What is the nature of the relationship between Peter and Otto?

4. How does the author describe Peter and Otto?

5. What is the subtitle to this section? When and where do the events take place?

6. What is the activity shared by Christopher and Fritz. Does the activity confirm any thoughts about Christopher's sexuality?

7. Who is Clive? What is the relationship between Sally, Christopher and Clive?

8. What becomes of Fraulein Schroeder?

9. How does Christopher end up living with Otto and his mother, Frau Nowak? Describe the atmosphere.

10. What events lead up to the first problems with Sally and Christopher?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is obvious that many of the characters in the book are homosexual or bisexual, although that precise word is never used. Why do you think Isherwood made many references to this behavior but avoided using any explicit reference to homosexuality and bisexuality? Cite various passages in the text that show a character's sexuality and discuss how it is referenced by Isherwood. Is Isherwood bisexual or homosexual? How do you know?

Essay Topic 2

Norris, the Baron, van Hoorn, Otto and others were involved in gathering and passing on information to various governments. Write a 750 word essay on this practice and how it might have been instrumental in World War II. Do you think what the men did was illegal? Who would punish them for their actions? What were the punishments? Do you consider the activities patriotism or an act of treason? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Bradshaw seems shocked when he sees Norris and the Baron involved in lewd activities. Discuss the events that led up to the house party. Why was Bradshaw shocked? Did Bradshaw participate in the activities? Was Anni present as a professional or as a guest? Who else was present? What did Bradshaw do? How was the subject addressed after the fact?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 638 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample