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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. How did Little Loewy die?

2. Why does Gletkin think no human can resist torture?

3. What does Ivanov say Rubashov will do when Gletkin asks Ivanov in the canteen?

4. What does Rubashov decide about Ivanov’s assertion that Ivanov wants to help Rubashov?

5. What picture hangs over Rubashov’s bed at home?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Where does Rubashov take the taxi when he leaves Richard? What does the driver do when they arrive there?

3. What happens to Rubashov the first time he is imprisoned?

4. Why does Rubashov think he is unable to hate No. 1?

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

6. How does Rubashov pass his time in the his cell?

7. Why does Rubashov feel guilty about Arlova’s death?

8. What does Ivanov tell Rubashov the day after Bogrov is killed?

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

10. What does Ivanov present to Rubashov during their first interview?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Koestler was an active Zionist (a believer that Jews should have a homeland in Palestine) during his youth, he supported the creation of an Israeli state after World War II, and later in his life he became very interested in spirituality.

Discuss the religious undertones in Darkness at Noon. Use examples from Darkness at Noon to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

In the Second Hearing, Rubashov writes of an agriculturist who was killed because he believed nitrate artificial fertilizer was superior to potash.

Discuss how Rubashov relates the above to the communist government’s tendency at that time to kill anyone who disagrees with the government about any subject and how Rubashov believes only the future will know who is right. Use examples from Darkness at Noon to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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