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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. Why is Rubashov allowed to remain in bed on his first morning in prison?

2. What does Rubashov say is the reason he is lost?

3. What does Ivanov call all the deaths that have occurred since the revolution?

4. What does Rubashov say is history’s mortar?

5. Why does Rubashov feel sorry for Prisoner 402?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Rubashov prepare for his first interrogation when he thinks they may use the steambath on him?

2. What does Ivanov say is the reason Rubashov will not capitulate with Gletkin’s method?

3. What was Prisoner 406’s sentence in his country of origin? How much time does he serve? How does he get out of prison?

4. Why does Rubashov question Richard and what does Rubashov tell Richard?

5. Why does Rubashov meet with Little Loewy?

6. What does Rubashov do after he is told he will get no breakfast?

7. What is in the cell in which Rubashov is locked at the beginning of the book?

8. Why did Ivanov want to commit suicide at one point and how did Rubashov help him?

9. What does Rubashov daydream about on his seventh day in prison?

10. What book does Rubashov say No. 1 has sitting on his desk at all times? Why does No. 1 have the book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rubashov is told to confess to his crimes and go to his death silently so that his trial can be a warning to others and help heal the rift that is occurring in the Party.

Why do you think Rubashov, at the end, is willing to do what a Party who is going to kill him asks him to do? Use examples from Darkness at Noon to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Stalin initiated the Moscow Show Trials. It was part of his manipulation to eliminate all those who could threaten his power. Based on Rubashov’s reflections about the Party and on what a revolution must do to stay in power, discuss the following:

Was Stalin solely responsible for the Moscow Show Trials, or do you think they reflect the inevitable tendency of the Bolsheviks? Use examples from Darkness at Noon to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

Analyze and discuss what you think are the characteristics of a successful novel and why Darkness at Noon is or is not a successful novel based on your criteria. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults?

(see the answer keys)

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