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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 one thing in the box Sam finds in his closet that Tyler left to him?
2. Who do Sam, Julian and Hephzibah encounter after a play?
3. What does Julian think a year after being an adopted Jew?
4. What does Julian ask Hephzibah one day while they are in bed?
5. What does the young girl call Julian when he asks her a question?
Short Essay Questions
1. Where does Sam say Kaddish?
2. How is Hephzibah grieving?
3. What is the worse time for Malkie as she was dying and how is Libor feeling similarly?
4. What does Libor tell Julian when Julian mentions his fears about Sam and Hephzibah?
5. What does Sam say about Immanuel's fight?
6. Where does Libor invite Emmy and what concerns him about doing so?
7. Why do Hephzibah and Sam decide to say Kaddish for Libor, and why doesn't Julian do so as well?
8. How does Hephzibah respond when Sam asks her about a special bond between Jews?
9. What interrupts Sam's plans to play online poker?
10. What man interests Sam and what does Hephzibah say about the man and his friends?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Choose one of the following to discuss:
1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in The Finkler Question. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Jacobson chooses the symbols he does?
2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Jacobson chooses the metaphors she does?
3. Discuss Jacobson's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Jacobson use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).
Essay Topic 2
Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:
1. Compare/contrast the characters of Julian and Sam. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.
2. Compare/contrast the characters of Julian and Libor. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?
3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in The Finkler Question help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.
Essay Topic 3
Because Malkie always played the piano, Libor hired someone to teach him to play after her death. He tells Julian, "Just when you think you've overcome the grief, you realize you are left with the loneliness" (page 14), causing Julian to wonder if it is better to never know happiness at all so there is less to mourn. Unlike Libor, Sam is consumed with anger because of his wife's death, and the distance between them explains his anger.
1. Discuss reasons it was beneficial for Libor to take piano lessons. Why might it have been harmful to him? Use examples from your own life and the book to support your answer.
2. Do you think it is better to avoid happiness than to risk losing it? Why or why not? Why might it have been harmful to him? Use examples from your own life and the book to support your answer.
3. Why do you think Sam has reacted to Tyler's death with such anger? Discuss the reasons that can be found in the book. Why might it have been harmful to him? Use examples from your own life and the book to support your answer.
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This section contains 1,154 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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