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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 does Libor suggest Julian telephone?

2. What does Julian hope to clear out of his head?

3. What is Julian doing when someone taps him on the shoulder?

4. What happens when Julian is looking at violins?

5. What signs from childhood does Julian think about?

Short Essay Questions

1. With whom does Sam have a falling out and what disappoints him about the ASHamed Jews?

2. Why doesn't Julian accept a dinner invitation from Libor a week after Julian's mugging?

3. What debates does Julian think about as he walks to Regent's Park and what is Julian's thought about what Libor says?

4. How does Libor fare with the bereavement counseling?

5. What is Sam's response to Julian's story about the mugging?

6. What position has Hephzibah recently taken on and why does Julian think she was chosen for the new position?

7. What does Libor tell Julian to go ahead and do and how does Libor start Julian on the path?

8. What does Julian not understand about his friend Libor?

9. What does Emmy ask of Libor?

10. What does Julian think the next morning after being mugging?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As Sam and Libor discuss their deceased wives, Sam envies Libor's range of grief and measures his husbandly worth against Libor's. Libor was always faithful to Malkie, and though Sam feels guilty for his infidelities, "It takes two to create fidelity, and while he wouldn't go so far as to say Tyler was not worthy of his, she certainly hadn't made it easy." It seems as though Julian is jealous of the grief that he imagines Sam and Libor experience, but Sam is jealous that Libor is actually mourning for his wife while Sam is simply angry that things did not work out the way he expected.

1. Do you think if a person loses a spouse and does not grieve as much as what most people think they should it means it was a bad relationship? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and the book to support your answer.

2. Discuss the reasons you think Sam believes that Tyler was partly responsible for him being unfaithful. Use examples from your own life and the book to support your answer.

3. Discuss the reasons Julian might be jealous of Sam and Libor and what you think he should do about his jealousy. Use examples from your own life and the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Howard Jacobson.

2. What in Jacobson's background may have helped him in writing The Finkler Question? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss The Finkler Question based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if The Finkler Question is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus comics? Why or why not? Would most adults consider The Finkler Question a successful novel? What about young teens?

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