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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. Who is the author of the introduction to the play?

2. What girl is walking home with Wendla and Martha in Act 1, Scene 3?

3. During what war was the play suppressed in Germany?

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

5. What in particular does Bentley highlight in his Moritat?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. What is Wendla's attitude about her old dress and new dress in the beginning of the play?

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

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

9. How does Bentley describe Moritz and Melchior in relation to each other in his introduction?

10. What are some of the ways this play was censored in re-prints?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hanschen and Ernst find happiness together at the end of the play while delivering a scathing critique of their society. Compose a brief essay on this statement in the following format:

Part 1) Discuss the town and school's impressions of Ernst and how he is able to get along despite them.

Part 2) Discuss Hanschen and Ernst's beliefs in comparison to the rest of their town.

Part 3) Discuss the two boys finding love out despite their extremely repressed society.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

What is satire? How does Wedekind use it in Spring Awakening: A Children's Tragedy? What is the purpose of presenting satire in the midst of a realistic play? How does this satire (specifically, the scene in which Melchior is expelled) contrast with the rest of the play? Some points to be considered:

- The arguments amongst the professors.

- The names of the professors.

- Mrs. Gabor and Stickeytongue's defense of Melchior.

- The realistic portrayal of the students amongst the professors.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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