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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 surprised Carlos in regard to don Genaro?

2. How big did the guardian appear to be?

3. How does the smoke aid the apprentice in dealing with the guardian?

4. From what two points do the fibers extend that don Juan describes?

5. What did Mescalito teach Eligio?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did don Genaro repeat the sitting on his head feat so frequently?

2. Why did Carlos leave his apprenticeship with don Juan?

3. What did Benigno and Lucio say in regards to don Juan?

4. How can a person who only 'sees' never really be happy or attached to anything?

5. What is the difference between a stranger and a practitioner?

6. What could the guardian do if it got angry?

7. What about don Juan's explanation had made Carlos feel uncomfortable?

8. What did the guardian look like?

9. What is extremely impolite among the Yaquis?

10. Why couldn't Carlos articulate what he wanted to after his experience?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Carlos Castaneda must come to terms with the idea of his own death, and understand that death is always beside him at the map. Discuss how a person might feel when they are ever present with the idea of their own death. Discuss how that persons outlook on the world might change and shift. What kinds of things would become less important?

Essay Topic 2

If this work was taken as a factual account of Carlos' experiences, attempt to rationalize the many ethereal things that occurred in this novel that were NOT under the influence of the psilocybin smoke. Is it possible to do so? Explain your justification.

Essay Topic 3

Examine the era in which this book was originally published. To what kind of public was Castaneda targeting? Why do you think this is? Do you believe that the social fabric of the world would accept this book if it was published now? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 907 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample