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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. In Act 1, Scene 2, what does Moritz dream about?

2. Why does Wendla die?

3. According to Bentley's analysis, who may NOT be the masked figure at the end of the play?

4. According to the other boys, whose name is still on the list for consideration to be promoted?

5. What happened to the play after it was first printed?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. Why did Martha's parents rip her nightgown from her?

8. According to Bentley, what are some possible identities of the masked man at the end of the play?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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 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.

(see the answer keys)

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