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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 joke does Tom make about Tony's involvement in Erica's wedding?

2. Why does the narrator say Hugo Weinschenk hasn't taken a wife yet in "Part VIII"?

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

4. Why does Tom agree to give Christian money in "Part VI"?

5. In "Part X," why does Tom say he can't become a high-level politician?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Frau Consul's funeral like?

3. In "Part VIII," how does Tony broker a deal for Tom?

4. How do Clara's illness and death affect Tom?

5. How does Tom feel about Tony leaving Permaneder in "Part VI"?

6. What does Tom do in "Part VI" when he begins to take his political career seriously?

7. How does Tom become a merchant senator?

8. What happens after Tom sells the family house?

9. What makes Tom fire Christian from the business?

10. How does Tony feel about the marriage of her daughter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does the author use dialogue to develop the emotions of his characters? Is this effective or ineffective? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the symbolism of the Buddenbrook home. Discuss it from the time it was purchased by the family until its sale.

Essay Topic 3

What commentary does the author provide about social class divides? Consider the marriages that take place in this novel that cross social class lines.

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