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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. According to Bentley, what event in Wedekind's life influences the plot of A Children's Tragedy?

2. In what form does the play begin?

3. For how long may Wendla wear her old dress?

4. Why is Mrs. Bergmann concerned about Wendla's dress?

5. In their first encounter, what question does Melchior pose to Wendla?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What startling admission does Moritz give in Act I, Scene 4? Why?

3. What does Moritz believe is the purpose of his school's exams?

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

5. Why was this play frequently repressed after the initial publication?

6. What is significant about the number sixty in relation to Moritz?

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

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

9. Describe Martha's parents.

10. Why is this play described as "coming-of-age?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the meaning of the title Spring Awakening: A Children's Tragedy.Points to consider include the implications of the season of "spring" being used, the contradictory nature of the main title and subtitle, and the purpose of this specifically being a "children's tragedy."

Essay Topic 2

How does Wedekind intertwine sex and violence? How is this a theme of the play? What characters appear to embody this idea? How does Goethe's "Faust" relate to this? How is this enacted on stage? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following topics to write about:

- The significance of Ina having had three children in two years of marriage and Mrs. Bergmann's refusal to explain sex to her daughters.

- Moritz's relationship with Ilse.

- The reformatory students in contrast to Melchior.

(see the answer keys)

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