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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. With whom was Wedekind finding conflict while writing his play?

2. What does Melchior initially believe about people who do good works?

3. According to the masked man, what is morality?

4. To whom does Bentley relate the masked man, especially in relation to summary of morality?

5. What does Moritz believe about why students will flunk out of their class?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the introduction of this play describe Eros and Thanatos?

2. What are some of the main philosophical influences and allusions in A Children's Tragedy?

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

4. Describe Martha's parents.

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

6. According to the summary in the introduction, what will happen to Melchior?

7. What happened to "Spring Awakening" in America after publication? Why?

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

9. What event does Bentley claim influence Wedekind? Why?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the characters of Wendla and Ilse. How does knowledge affect both girls? How is Ilse freer than Wendla? Conversely, how is Wendla freer than Ilse? What is the significance of Wendla being raped and Ilse sleeping freely with her artists?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following topics to write about:

- Discuss Hanschen's relationship with "Venus."

- Discuss Ilse's story of the artist who kept threatening to kill her.

- Discuss the names of the professors.

Essay Topic 3

What is the purpose of the masked man? How do Moritz and Melchior react to him? What are some of the man's possible identities? What does he claim about his relationships to Moritz and Melchior? What is the significance of Melchior leaving with the masked man at the end of the play? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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