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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. From what does Rubashov tell Ivanov all of Ivanov’s examples are taken?

2. What does Rubashov ask No. 1 for while Rubashov is still on crutches?

3. Where does Rubashov meet with Little Loewy?

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

5. What relative of Arlova’s was arrested over there?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Gletkin consider to be the best methods for getting confessions out of prisoners? Why does he feel this way?

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. What is Rubashov’s flashback about after he is told he will get no breakfast?

9. How is Rubashov given a chance to exercise? How is that carried out?

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

Although women were supposedly liberated along with the men during the revolution, all the of the top leaders of the revolution and those in power were men. One of the women most written about is Arlova, Rubashov’s secretary at one time. She ends up being executed because she allowed Rubashov to use her as he liked.

Discuss the treatment of women in Darkness at Noon. Could the novel be considered sexist?

Essay Topic 2

A prisoner in cell 406 was arrested in his country for communist activities. After 25 years in prison, he is pardoned. He is taken to the station by friends and sent to Russia, his life-long dream. In Russia he is arrested and put in prison. In prison he keeps insisting his friends put him on the wrong train and that someday he will get to Russia and be free.

Discuss the way in which prisoner 406 uses denial of his situation in order to mentally/emotionally survive circumstances which directly oppose what the prisoner has believed most of his life and had spent 25 years in prison for believing. 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)

This section contains 912 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample