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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 did Carlos always find difficult after he had finished with the little smoke?

2. Why did don Juan leave the room?

3. Why doesn't Carlos actually see?

4. What is wrong with Carlos, and what is the problem?

5. Why did the narrator lie to don Juan?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did the guardian look like?

2. What is the difference between the first and second time Carlos smoked?

3. Why will Carlos never believe what actually went on with don Genaro at the waterfall?

4. What about Castaneda's behavior did don Genaro find amusing and why?

5. How must someone approach Mescalito?

6. Why, according to don Juan, can a blind man not truly laugh?

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

8. How can everything in life be controlled folly?

9. What is the difference between seeing and looking?

10. What was the only important thing, according to don Juan, about Carlos' experience?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Attempt to classify the religion of a man of knowledge. How is this 'religion' more of a way of life? Explain the teachings of a man of knowledge. In what regard is a man of knowledge a pagan? How is he not a pagan? Do you think a man of knowledge could be of a religious background as well as be a man of knowledge? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Don Juan plays many roles in this book. What kinds of roles benefit Carlos Castaneda? What roles make don Juan appear to be more friendly? Why? What is the most important role that don Juan plays?

Essay Topic 3

Many times throughout this novel, Carlos feels as though he is going to die. Rationalize his motivation to continue on in his attempts to be a man of knowledge. How does his desire to understand what is happening interfere with this attempt to become a man of knowledge?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 966 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample