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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. How does Golyadkin describe himself?

2. How does Golyadkin speak?

3. What capacity does Golyadkin lose after meeting his double?

4. Where does Golyadkin Junior lead Golyadkin when he chases him?

5. What power does Golyadkin say he has?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Golyadkin’s relationship with Petrushka.

2. Describe the reader’s introduction to Yakov Petrovich Golyadkin.

3. What is Golyadkin’s purpose in getting into Olsufy Ivanovich’s banquet?

4. What does the scene in Krestyan Ivanovich’s office tell the reader about Golyadkin’s personality?

5. Describe the weather into which Golyadkin is expelled from the banquet.

6. Describe the scene of Golyadkin’s waking after chasing Golyadkin Junior.

7. Where does Golyadkin go after leaving Olsufy Ivanovich’s house?

8. Describe Golyadkin’s carriage journey in Chapter 1.

9. Describe the chase the stranger leads Golyadkin on.

10. What does the narrator’s rhetoric have to do with Golyadkin’s tale in particular?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Double is subtitled “A Petersburg Tale”: What makes it particular to St. Petersburg? What can you tell about Petersburg society, from Dostoevsky’ account of Golyadkin’s life and the appearance of his double?

Essay Topic 2

What explanation does Dostoevsky give the reader to explain Golyadkin’s guilt, or the visitation by his Double? What are the advantages and disadvantages of Dostoevsky’s leaving this ambiguous?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the process of reading The Double. What themes does Dostoevsky weave through the text? What clues does he drop throughout?

(see the answer keys)

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