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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 "The South," where does Dahlmann go after he recovers from an illness?

2. In "Mahomed's Double," what happens when the Muslims see a vision of Mohamed?

3. In "Death and the Compass," what character flaw leads Lonnrot to his death?

4. In "The Library of Babel," the library can best be described as which of the following?

5. In "The House of Asterion," Asterion is what mythological creature?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "The Theme of the Traitor and the Hero," why does Kilpatrick participate in his own assassination?

2. In "The Cruel Redeemer Lazarus Morell," describe Lazarus' moral character.

3. In "A Biography of Tadeo Isidoro Cruz (1829-1874)," what makes Tadeo decide to fight for Martin Fierro, the man he pursues?

4. In "The Widow Ching--Pirate," Ching becomes a pirate, but does she have any virtuous qualities, even in this criminal profession?

5. In "Death and the Compass," how does Scharlach defeat Lonnrot?

6. In "The Wait," what does Villari do when his assassins actually show up? Why does he do this?

7. How does Borges portray theological disputes in "The Theologians"?

8. "The Approach to Al-Mu'tasim" is a review of a book that does not exist. How is this significant?

9. In "Man on the Pink Corner," why does Rosendo disappear and then come back when challenged by the Yardmaster?

10. In "A Survey of the Works of Herbert Quain," why is Herbert upset at the success of "April March"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "Funes, His Memory," Funes can remember his entire past, learn new languages, and absorb every detail of the present. What are the benefits of this power? What are the drawbacks? Would you like Funes' memory? Be sure to use specifics from the story in your answer.

Essay Topic 2

In "The Library of Babel," a librarian frantically and hopelessly tries to organize the books in a seemingly infinite library and looks for a book that will summarize all the others. Is this story merely a work of imaginative fiction, or a possible metaphor for the actual world? What is Borges implying about the nature of human knowledge? Make sure to discuss "The Library of Babel," but also include at least one more story that touches on this common theme of Borges. Be specific.

Essay Topic 3

Borges is an amazingly erudite writer who saturates his stories with his learning, scholarly investigation, and complex philosophical questions. Does he have, at the same time, a sense of humor? How seriously does Borges take himself? Does he poke fun at his own intellectualism? Consider, for instance, "A Survey of the Works of Herbert Quain," where a writer is essentially mad that his play is understood and enjoyed by a wide audience. You can use this story for your essay or choose your own, and you are encouraged to use more than one. Be specific in developing your argument.

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