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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. In "Part VIII," why is there a celebration for the Buddenbrook firm?

2. What instrument does Hanno play?

3. While Tony is away in Munich, what does Christian do that upsets Tom?

4. When their son is born in "Part VII," why does it settle Gerda's fears?

5. Who is Babette?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Frau Consul's funeral like?

2. What happens after Tom sells the family house?

3. In "Part VI," how does Tony describe Munich when she visits there?

4. What makes Tom fire Christian from the business?

5. What argument do Tom and Christian get into after their mother's death?

6. What things occur to end the marriage between Tony and Permaneder?

7. Why does Hugo Weinschenk go to court in "Part VIII"?

8. What is Tom's first impression of Permaneder?

9. What happens when Frau Consul becomes ill in "Part IX"?

10. How does Tom become a merchant senator?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast two Buddenbrook generations.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the role of political strife in this novel. Keep in mind the process to reunify Germany, the radicals and the rioters.

Essay Topic 3

The author did not intentionally mean for this novel to be a critique of the upper classes, yet it can be read that way. Argue if you feel this novel is critical of the upper classes or not.

(see the answer keys)

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