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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 was the greenish glow in the flames, according to don Juan?

2. What was the name of the little button nosed boy?

3. What sensation did Carlos have the day after he saw the man?

4. What is the thing that gives Carlos the chills?

5. What idea was quite gruesome to Carlos?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why should Carlos be afraid of the repetition of the same thing for the rest of his life?

2. What fascinated Carlos Castaneda when don Juan explained sorcery?

3. Explain what the 'fog' is.

4. What happens to a man when he becomes a man of knowledge?

5. What is a negative type of spirit and what are the consequences to having one of these kinds of spirits take notice of you?

6. What was the only thought that brought comfort to Carlos while he was in the forest?

7. How must people treat the world?

8. What mistake did Carlos make when he looked at don Juan?

9. Describe what 'will' is.

10. What did Carlos fail to do while in the forest and hearing all the sounds around him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mescalito and allies are the main spirits consistently talked about throughout the course of this novel. What is the difference between these spirits and God? How are they similar?

Essay Topic 2

Don Juan explains that the world lacks meaning to him. What would a world be like without meaning? How do you think society would function under this kind of way of life? What kinds of social system would have to be in place if the world lacked meaning or importance? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

There has been much debate on whether or not these are factual accounts, or if the entire book was a work of fiction. Explain why people might have difficulty accepting this novel as a true account. What are your personal conceptions of this novel? Is it a work of fiction, or could they be actual field notes? Explain your reasoning.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 869 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample