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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 Gabriele joke that Mr. Spinell must mean when he says he could look at one particular woman forever?

2. How is Mr. Kloterjahn described?

3. When did Mrs. Kloterjahn first become ill?

4. What is the secondary physician’s name?

5. What does Mrs. Kloterjahn say to Mr. Spinell about his sleeping habits?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Miss van Osterloh said to feel reproachful towards men?

2. What is the one imperfection in Gabriele Kloterjahn’s face?

3. Of what is Mr. Kloterjahn a connoisseur?

4. What seems to be Dr. Leander’s opinion of Mr. Spinell?

5. Why is Mr. Kloterjahn grateful that his wife’s condition does not stem from the lungs?

6. Why does Gabriele Kloterjahn’s inspect her handkerchief after she clears her throat?

7. What are Dr. Muller’s responsibilities?

8. Why doesn’t the sanitarium restrict its business to consumptive patients?

9. Why does Mr. Spinell say that he is hypocritical?

10. Why doesn’t Dr. Leander consult with Dr. Muller on Gabriele’s case?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Gabriele Kloterjahn’s character and how she embodies major themes in Tristan. How does Mann characterize Mrs. Kloterjahn? As an artist, what does she seem to represent? What does her illness represent? Does Mann seem to be making any kind of commentary with her character? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Mr. Spinell believes himself to be in love with Gabriele. What does this say about his character? What does this say about their relationship? Do we, as readers, believe that he truly loves and understands Gabriele? Why or why not? Does she feel the same way about him?

Essay Topic 3

Thomas Mann had a very distinct style that included the use of parataxis. Why did he choose to write in a long-winded manner? Was he a precise writer? Why or why not? Did the fact that he wrote in German have anything to do with his use of parataxis? What advantages and disadvantages does the use of parataxis hold for the writer? What advantages and disadvantages does its use hold for the reader?

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This section contains 586 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample