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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 does Cors do when he breaks his promise to the abbot?

2. Why doesn't Mrs. Grayles go to Father Selo for confession?

3. Why does Taddeo prefer the fragile original documents to the copies?

4. What does Mad Bear rule?

5. What does Taddeo give Paulo before he leaves?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Mad Bear's political plans.

2. What might lead the reader to believe Benjamin's story about his age?

3. Who is eligible for euthanasia?

4. Why can't Cors keep his promise to Zerchi?

5. Describe Zerchi's dream about Rachel.

6. What is the literary style of the story of the Flame Deluge read to Taddeo at the beginning of Chapter 18?

7. Why does Paulo feel like a shoemaker in a village of shoemakers?

8. Why is Paulo opposed to euthanasia?

9. What is the implication of Rachel refusing baptism?

10. Why does Taddeo think Kornhoer would be valuable to him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel presents dreams, impressions, and myths of the characters, such as the abbot's dream about Rachel, Joshua's impression of the possible snake in the garden, Zerchi's hallucinations as he is dying, and myths about the Great Deluge and Leibowitz. How can the reader and the characters tell the truth from human perception or myth? In what way, or ways, are these perceptions and myths real? In what way or ways are they false?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Compare the three abbots who control the Albertine Order of Leibowitz. What are their goals and fears? How do they see their duty toward the Memorabilia, the Order, and the Church? In what different ways do they carry out those duties?

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