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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 makes the leader of the twelve men shriek and tremble?

2. While in the trance in Chapter 13, what does Kreutz do?

3. What do men and women of the twentieth century think of when they hear the music?

4. What happens to Joseph, his mother, and Elzbietka during the fire?

5. What reason does Pan Andrew give for almost losing everything he has?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain what happens after Kreutz grabs the crystal from the king's hands.

2. Describe how the Epilogue explains the Heynal is played.

3. In Chapter 10, what happens on the rickety stairway that leads to the Charnetski family apartment?

4. What is the threat Peter of the Button Face gives to Joseph before Michael the Snake takes Joseph from the tower in Chapter 11?

5. In Chapter 13, what is Tring's reaction when he sees the Great Tarnov Crystal in the middle of Kreutz's loft?

6. When Tring puts Kreutz into a trance in Chapter 13, what important information does Kreutz give to Tring?

7. What happens when Kreutz actually mixes the ingredients to make the Philosopher's Stone in Chapter 13?

8. What is the ancient legend of Krakus?

9. Describe the Vistula River as it is explained in the Epilogue.

10. In Chapter 10, Peter of the Button Face is scared as he watches red balls of fire fall. Despite his fear, what does he do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Based on your understanding of the character of the Tartar people as described in the novel, why do you think the Tartars did not succeed as a nation? What contributed to their downfall? In the novel, does it seem like they are a powerful group or can you tell that they are going to experience a downfall?

Essay Topic 2

The author emphasizes the importance of tradition in the lives of the Polish and Ukrainian people. Why do you think the author emphasized tradition in the novel? Was he just accurately describing the priorities of Polish people, or are there elements of symbolism apparent?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast culture and academics in Krakow in 1462 with the culture and academics in Krakow in 1928 at the time of the author's writing. Are they all that different? Why do you think that modern culture has roots that extend to times of centuries gone by?

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