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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 did Martha, after being punished for the ribbon, come back inside?

2. What is a Moritat?

3. In what way is the love between Moritz and Melchior described?

4. How do all the boys in Act 1, Scene 2 two know each other?

5. Who keeps Melchior from committing suicide?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Mrs. Bergmann and Wendla deal with the girl's maturation in Act I, Scene 1?

2. What are Melchior's beliefs about good deeds, as related to Wendla?

3. What is the purpose of the Moritat in the introduction?

4. How does this play fit into both genres of expressionism and realism?

5. What conflicts does Bentley discuss were essential to Wedekind during the writing of "Spring Awakening"? Why?

6. What does Moritz do in Act I, Scene 4 that nearly gets him in trouble? Why?

7. What does Moritz reveal himself completely ignorant about in Act I, Scene 2?

8. Why does Moritz not want to listen to Melchior's explanations about sex?

9. What appears to be a key difference between Melchior and Moritz in their first scene together?

10. What thought does Wendla have that offends her mother? Where does it come from?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following topics to write about:

- Mrs. Bergmann's explanation on pregnancy.

- The contrast of the pastor's sermon at Moritz's funeral and the girls bringing his grave flowers.

- "Copulation."

Essay Topic 2

Early in the play, Moritz says, "Melchior, don't you also think that man's sense of shame is just a product of his education?" One of the themes of this play deals with the enforced ignorance of the younger generation and the natural ignorance of the adults. Write an essay about the use of ignorance in this play as it relates to Moritz's statement in the following format:

Part 1) Discuss Mrs. Bergmann's insistence on keeping Wendla innocent.

Part 2) Discuss the adults being unaware of Moritz's torment and Wendla's pregnancy.

Part 3) Discuss the ignorance of nearly all the students about sex and pregnancy.

Part 4) Discuss the reaction Melchior's knowledge of sex has on the adults.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

What is significant about Melchior's fascination with Goethe and his presentation of "Faust?" Why should Mrs. Gabor express concern over her son reading "Faust?" How does the story of Faust mirror Melchior's story? How is Goethe's philosophy seen in Melchior's belief system? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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