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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. Why does Taddeo want the documents to be brought to him instead of going to the abbey?

2. What is Brother Fingo's original trade?

3. What is Leibowitz's goal in the priesthood?

4. What does Brother Francis at first believe is in the hole?

5. Who was Taddeo's mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are a shopping list and casual notes treasured finds for Brother Francis?

2. Why do the monks wear burlap habits?

3. In what way is Brother Francis's motivation selfish?

4. What does Cheroki's disbelief in Francis's find tell the reader about the rarity of the fallout shelter and relics?

5. Why doesn't Francis merely tell the abbot what he wants to hear?

6. What is Brother Francis seeking in the desert?

7. Describe Brother Kornhoer's invention.

8. What stops Brother Francis from sharing the pilgrim's food?

9. Why does Arkos accuse Francis of doing damage?

10. Describe Abbot Paulo's health problem.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel contains many objects that take on meaning and importance to the characters. Choose one of the following characters and objects and discuss the significance of the object to that character.

1) Discuss the significance of Leibowitz's blueprint to Francis.

2) Discuss the significance of the Poet's eye to the Poet.

3) Discuss the significance of the wooden statue of Leibowitz to the three abbots.

Essay Topic 2

Does the novel contain miracles, or is it ambiguous? Describe in your discussion possible miraculous events in the novel, including the life of the Old Jew and the actions of Rachel at the end of the novel. What are the possible natural explanations of these events? If these events are miraculous, what is their purpose and meaning, and what do they say about the nature of God?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the structure of the novel. Describe the relationship of all three sections and how they represent different stages in the development of human culture. Why did the writer choose this unconventional structure, which covers three time periods and three different sets of characters? Why is there no continuous main character in the novel (except perhaps the Old Jew), and how does that affect your experience of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 763 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample