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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What story does Anagnosti tell at the celebration?
(a) Noah's Ark.
(b) The ancient civilization of Crete.
(c) A love story.
(d) The tale of his birth.

2. In a letter to his friend, what does the narrator say his friend inspired him to do?
(a) Go to university.
(b) Join a circus.
(c) Get married.
(d) Pursue a life of physical action.

3. Who takes charge when the work begins in the mine?
(a) The narrator's grandfather.
(b) The narrator.
(c) A soldier.
(d) Zorba.

4. What does Zorba think is the best way to run the mine?
(a) A voting system.
(b) Volunteer work.
(c) Bonus awards.
(d) Cruel authority.

5. What is the narrator's second goal at the end of Chapter 4?
(a) He wants to be more grounded in the physical world of men.
(b) He wants to learn to play a musical instrument.
(c) He wants to find a lover.
(d) He wants to become an excellent cook.

Short Answer Questions

1. In regards to food, what three categories does Zorba say that the three different types of men turn their food into?

2. What does the narrator remember his grandfather doing?

3. What does Zorba consider the act of dancing to be?

4. How does Zorba treat women for the most part?

5. Who is the second person to offer the narrator and Zorba lodging in Crete?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe the narrator's relationship with his old friend.

3. How does the narrator try to get the widow out of his mind at the beginning of Chapter 10?

4. Describe the narrator's counter argument to Zorba's connection between manliness and freedom regarding his missing finger?

5. What does Zorba's version of God look like?

6. What does Zorba represent in the story?

7. What feelings does Zorba express about religion?

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

9. When Zorba encourages the narrator to be more like he is and pursue the widow, how does this contradict Zorba's other advice?

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 regards to food, what three categories does Zorba say that the three different types of men turn their food into?

Fat and manure, work and good humor, and God.

2. What does the narrator remember his grandfather doing?

He demanded stories from his guests.

3. What does Zorba consider the act of dancing to be?

Communication.

4. How does Zorba treat women for the most part?

He is mostly very kind.

5. Who is the second person to offer the narrator and Zorba lodging in Crete?

The village elder.

Short Essay Answer Key

1. 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.

2. Describe the narrator's relationship with his old friend.

The narrator and his friend have a deep connection and love for one another. However, the connection is largely unspoken as the two men often argue rather than express emotion to one another. The soldier friend is more of an adventurer than the narrator, and often teases the narrator for being such a bookworm. The two men contrast one another; the narrator is more of a philosopher who is focused on a higher power, while the friend is a soldier who believes in living his life for his fellow man and his nation. The connection between the two men, despite their differences, is clear in their agreement to send mental messages to one another if they sense danger. This obviously indicates that they believe strongly in their connection and friendship.

3. How does the narrator try to get the widow out of his mind at the beginning of Chapter 10?

The narrator views the widow as a temptation of the Evil One and focuses on writing his Buddha Manuscript in order to exorcise her image and the lust he feels for her from his mind. To him, his writing is comparable to the force of savages facing beasts with their spears.

4. Describe the narrator's counter argument to Zorba's connection between manliness and freedom regarding his missing finger?

The narrator argues that although such passions are admirable, they could also possibly lead to the desire to remove more crucial body parts. He suggests that Zorba might eventually want to remove his sexual organs, which would have a much more life-altering and drastic result.

5. What does Zorba's version of God look like?

Zorba claims to be an atheist, but he does tell the narrator that God is likely a more outrageous version of himself for whom forgiveness is not difficult, and who does not want to be worshiped.

6. What does Zorba represent in the story?

Zorba represents a man who lives for the physical world and ultimately for the individual self in that world. He is an agent of instinct and lacks theoretical reason for his actions. For the narrator, Zorba is a potential symbol of freedom in the narrator's quest to find freedom.

7. What feelings does Zorba express about religion?

Zorba claims to be an atheist. However, when it comes to the other villagers, Zorba believes that religion is not only important but is the center of their way of life. He warns the narrator that speaking against religion to the villagers is not wise as it is better for them than having no organized structure at all.

8. 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.

9. When Zorba encourages the narrator to be more like he is and pursue the widow, how does this contradict Zorba's other advice?

Previously, Zorba told a parable about a crow who tries to walk like a pigeon, reinforcing his idea that one must remain true to his true and individual identity. Zorba's disappointment with the narrator when he is unable to be the man of sensuality that Zorba is, contradicts this parable to some extent.

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.