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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. Etty no longer concerns herself with the need to appear how?

2. Etty later grasps the magnitude of her choice not to do what?

3. Hillesum resigns herself to what fact?

4. Etty comes to accept and value her role as what?

5. It is at this time that Etty realizes that she and Spier may have no future because of what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Etty believe one should do to handle the increasingly difficult situation?

2. Why does Hillesum decide she would rather not marry Spier?

3. What does Etty say about suffering?

4. For what does Etty begin to prepare? How might she feel about this exercise?

5. What does Etty admit to her friend Ru? How is this significant?

6. Does Etty believe that she should appear strong? Why or why not?

7. On who does Etty rely? How does this affect her emotions?

8. What does Etty come to accept, which affects her thoughts, feelings, and obligations?

9. What happens to Etty after Spier's death?

10. What is clear by May of 1942?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Etty's relationships with men are not very intimate.

Part 1) Describe her relationships. What in her life might have influenced these relationships with men? What can be learned about Etty from these relationships?

Part 2) How do these relationships compare to other relationships? What are possible reasons for these differences? How important are her relationships with others throughout her life? Explain.

Part 3) What relationships are important in your life? Why? How do these relationships affect and influence you?

Essay Topic 2

Etty's trust in God grows.

Part 1) Describe Etty's feelings regarding God at the beginning of her diary. How do they evolve throughout the rest of the book? Why?

Part 2) How does this growth affect her attitude and actions throughout the book? How different might her actions and attitude have been if this trust had not grown?

Part 3) In what or whom do you trust? Why? How does this trust affect you? How does it affect those with which you come into contact?

Essay Topic 3

Etty is drawn to self-denial and meditation.

Part 1) Describe these desires. How are these seen at the beginning of the book? How do they change? Why do they change?

Part 2) How does self-denial play a role in her actions? How did this self-denial affect others? Is this self-denial a positive thing? Why or why not?

Part 3) When have you denied yourself something? Why did you do this? How did this affect you? Have you ever meditated or spent time being contemplative? If so, how were you affected?

(see the answer keys)

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