This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. To whom does the narrator's soldier friend say his greatest actions will be owed credit?
(a) Rembrandt's "Warrior."
(b) Sampson from the Bible.
(c) The narrator.
(d) His father.

2. What does Zorba do when he hears his boss talking to the workmen?
(a) He asks his boss to get them lunch.
(b) He asks his boss to record the men's work hours.
(c) He tells his boss that they are lazy.
(d) He throws his boss out of the mine.

3. In a letter to the narrator, Zorba indicates that he has a devil living inside of him who is like Zorba in every way except what?
(a) It has warts.
(b) It refuses to grow old.
(c) It does not like romance.
(d) It loves philosophy.

4. What does the narrator mostly do while Zorba works in the mine?
(a) He also works in the mine.
(b) He works on his writing.
(c) He swims in the ocean.
(d) He romances Madame Hortense.

5. What has historically impacted Crete and the Cretan people more than anything else?
(a) Religious ceremonies.
(b) Wars.
(c) Movie theaters.
(d) Carnivals.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 13, Zorba demonstrates his dedication to what?

2. As the narrator gets to know the mine workers, what does he talk to them about?

3. What does the narrator request of Zorba when he remains in Candia for longer than expected?

4. What is the primary message in the book that the narrator is reading?

5. What is the narrator's second goal at the end of Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the two goals that the narrator sets for himself at the end of Chapter 4? How is this a shift from the beginning of the story?

2. What reasons does Zorba give in Chapter 9 for so intensely wanting the narrator to go and sleep with the widow?

3. At the conclusion of Chapter 2, do you think Zorba or the narrator has a more realistic outlook on how to live life?

4. In Chapter 3, how are the relationships between men and women on Crete exhibited?

5. Do you think Zorba's description of dance as a language is accurate? In other words, does the narrator understand what Zorba means by his erratic dancing?

6. Describe the narrator's memory of his old friend while on their visit to the museum.

7. Explain the parrot's role in the life of Madame Hortense and her guests.

8. What is Zorba's account of God's creation of woman?

9. What does Zorba do while in Candia?

10. How does the narrator's memory of the butterfly impact his feelings about approaching the widow?

Multiple Choice Answer Key

Short Answer Key

1. In Chapter 13, Zorba demonstrates his dedication to what?

His immediate passions.

2. As the narrator gets to know the mine workers, what does he talk to them about?

Socialist ideas.

3. What does the narrator request of Zorba when he remains in Candia for longer than expected?

He requests that he return immediately.

4. What is the primary message in the book that the narrator is reading?

It emphasizes the virtue of possessing nothing.

5. What is the narrator's second goal at the end of Chapter 4?

He wants to be more grounded in the physical world of men.

Short Essay Answer Key

1. Discuss the two goals that the narrator sets for himself at the end of Chapter 4? How is this a shift from the beginning of the story?

The narrator wants to rid himself of Buddha and the abstract thinking that comes along with Buddha. He also wants to be completely present in the physical world of men. He has wanted to find this physicality since the beginning of the story when his old friend's words inspire him to seek such a life, and begin his journey to Crete. Originally, he was completely invested in philosophizing as well. However, the fact that he wants to exorcise Buddha from his thinking is a definite shift in his character.

2. What reasons does Zorba give in Chapter 9 for so intensely wanting the narrator to go and sleep with the widow?

He says that women need men to sleep with them and protect them; that it is a part of a greater plan. He says she will be ruined if a man does not go and sleep with her. He also says that not taking the opportunity to sleep with her is one sin that God will not forgive.

3. At the conclusion of Chapter 2, do you think Zorba or the narrator has a more realistic outlook on how to live life?

I think that they have very different perspectives as distinct as two different languages. Zorba's outlook might be easier on a day-by-day basis as his doesn't require a lot of thinking through of various options and looks directly to instinct and passion. The narrator's perspective might be the more "realistic" however, in that it takes a much broader look at the many elements and their complex arrangements which come together to inform life.

4. In Chapter 3, how are the relationships between men and women on Crete exhibited?

In the beginning of the chapter, the narrator's encounter with the young women in the country exhibits the historical impact of war and violence on the male/female relationship. They are immediately frightened of him as a stranger, and so their encounter is stunted. Mavrandoni's offer to let the men stay in his house to avoid the scandal of staying with a woman also exhibits a level of division and acceptable interaction between men and women.

5. Do you think Zorba's description of dance as a language is accurate? In other words, does the narrator understand what Zorba means by his erratic dancing?

Zorba says that he had so much joy that he had to let it out somehow and dancing was the best way to let the explosion loose. The dancing reminds the narrator of a story he made up about how his grandfather died. He told friends that the old man bounced on rubber shoes until he disappeared into the clouds. This does exhibit some understanding. The narrator associates the dancing with a great release of energy although he cannot clearly name it.

6. Describe the narrator's memory of his old friend while on their visit to the museum.

The narrator's old friend told him of his love for a painting by Rembrandt; a painting he says he will owe his greatest accomplishments to. As they are leaving the museum, they see a bird land on a statue of an Amazon and begin singing. The narrator asks what it might mean, and the friend recites a few lines that encourage the narrator not to bother himself with such thoughts.

7. Explain the parrot's role in the life of Madame Hortense and her guests.

Hortense's parrot is a constant reminder of Madame Hortense's greatest love. As a possession, it has been trained to say Canavaro's name repeatedly and therefore to challenge the immediacy of Zorba's manliness.

8. What is Zorba's account of God's creation of woman?

Zorba says that when God removed the rib from Adam, the devil turned into a snake and snatched the rib and ran off with it. God then chased the devil and caught him, but the devil ultimately got away while God was left holding only his horns. God then made woman out of the devil's horns rather than the rib of Adam.

9. What does Zorba do while in Candia?

He meets a young girl with whom he has an affair. He also spends all of the boss's money.

10. How does the narrator's memory of the butterfly impact his feelings about approaching the widow?

The narrator had attempted to help the butterfly emerge from the cocoon by blowing warm air on it. Doing this made the butterfly emerge too quickly and die. The narrator realizes while meditating on this memory, that an individual must "confidently obey the eternal rhythm." He knows, in turn, that he can't speed his relationship with the widow and must let it unfold naturally.