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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. What is Wendla's reaction when Melchior tries to force her away from him?

2. What is revealed about Wendla after the doctor's visit?

3. In Act II, Scene 5, through what medium is Mrs. Gabor addressing Moritz?

4. At the end of Act II, Scene 1, what do Melchior and Moritz wonder about?

5. What are Melchior's implied actions when Wendla finds him in Act II, scene 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the argument between Melchior's parents after Moritz's death?

2. What are the different explanations given for Wendla's illness? What is the actual diagnosis?

3. Describe Wendla's mood and thoughts in Act II, scene 6.

4. What philosophy does Melchior claim to believe? What action follows in the hayloft?

5. Why does Hanschen claim he needs to destroy the picture? How does this represent the views of the town?

6. What favor has Moritz asked of Mrs. Gabor? What does he admit to her?

7. Describe Ilsa's life.

8. What is Hanschen's relationship to "Venus?"

9. How does Mrs. Bergmann attempt to defend herself from Wendla's anger in Act III, scene 8?

10. What advice and favor does Mrs. Gabor offer to Moritz?

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

How does Wedekind lampoon religion in this play? Is Melchior's belief system about God meant to be taken as the playwright's beliefs? How does Moritz's funeral relate to the final scene with the masked man?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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