View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Edith decide not to go to the sanitarium or continue seeking a cure?

2. To celebrate the cure Dr. Condor has found, to what location do Edith and Ilona plan an outing?

3. How does Hofmiller react when Edith tries to walk to him, but falls at his feet?

4. Why does Hofmiller think it might benefit Edith to continue believing the lie about the new cure?

5. When Hofmiller visits the Kekesfalva family after their trip, what does he bring with him?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Dr. Condor and Hofmiller decide to handle the situation regarding Hofmiller's lies about the new treatment?

2. In her first note to Hofmiller after her love for him has been revealed, what does Edith want from him?

3. What does Dr. Condor tell Hofmiller about the nature of pity?

4. How does Hofmiller react when Edith first suggests that he kiss her?

5. When Hofmiller goes to the castle the day after telling Kekesfalva about the potential cure for Edith, what does he discover Kekesfalva has done to complicate the situation further?

6. Why does Hofmiller not admit that he has exaggerated the potential for the new treatment to cure Edith?

7. Why is Hofmiller so willing to go to war after Edith's death?

8. What are Ilona's feelings about the situation between Edith and Hofmiller once Edith's love for him has been revealed?

9. What prompts Hofmiller to turn away from the idea of leaving the military and taking a job with Balinkay?

10. How does an unforeseen and unrelated political event lead to Edith's suicide?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the book, the reader learns that appearances can be deceiving and things are not always what they seem to be. Discuss this concept, including references to the characters of Dr. Condor, Hofmiller, Edith and Kekesfalva.

Essay Topic 2

In the book's last passages, Hofmiller reflects on the guilt he will always feel regarding his role in the Kekesfalva family's life. Discuss the role guilt plays in his character throughout the book. At what points does he feel guilt that perhaps he should not feel? At what points does he not feel guilty when he should? Do you think the guilt he feels at the end is genuine?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the balance of power between Hofmiller and Kekesfalva. Who holds the power at the beginning of the story? Who holds it at the end? How and why does it shift back and forth throughout the novel?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,176 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample