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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 liberated Death?

2. What is indicated when melancholy arises in the human heart?

3. What embodies 'a drama of the intelligence', according to Camus?

4. What comment has Camus to make about Malraux?

5. What comment does Camus make concerning suffering?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Nietzsche mean when he says 'Great problems are in the street'?

2. How does Camus view the novel as an artistic endeavor?

3. What is Camus' basic criticism of phenomenology?

4. What were Sisyphus's sins against the gods, for which he was punished?

5. What does Camus say is tiresome about the human heart (p. 115 of the Penguin edition)?

6. Why does Camus wonder if an absurd work of art is truly possible?

7. In what ways is Sisyphus a rebel?

8. In mentioning the Diary (p. 100 of the Penguin edition), to what does Camus draw attention?

9. How does Camus differ from many other commentators when considering the work of Kafka?

10. Why is Sisyphus completely appropriate as the absurd hero?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay in which you argue for or against Camus' proposition that Sisyphus was happy in the eternal performance of his useless task. You will need to consider the chain of events that resulted in Sisyphus's fate. It will also be necessary for you to discuss Camus position regarding the absurd and your own response to this. There are no right or wrong answers in philosophy, but you will be assessed on the strength and validity of your argument as well as your written expression and the proper construction of your essay.

Essay Topic 2

Camus' work has within it much that is lyrical in its description of place. Choose a short passage from either his essay on Algiers, Oran or Tipasa and analyse its literary qualities. You will need to comment on word choice, sentence structure, use of imagery and symbolism in the passage. Look also for scenic and emotional contrasts.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the idea that Camus' essay Summer in Algiers is a celebration of youth in North Africa. You will need to consider if this is so, or if the statement goes too far. Are Camus' comments and assessments positive? Are they biased? Are they balanced? What yardstick does Camus apply when making his observations?

(see the answer keys)

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