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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. Who reads the newspaper to Vassilij?

2. With what was Rubashov’s suitcase filled when he met a man in southern Germany in 1933?

3. What is the name of Richard’s wife?

4. What does Rubashov want to ask the warden for when they arrive at his cell?

5. What awakens Rubashov at seven in the morning?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What is Rubashov’s relationship to Arlova and what happens to her?

5. Whom does Rubashov watch the guards escort down the hallway after Rubashov’s flashback? What does the man look like?

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

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

8. What does Rubashov tell the warden when he is asked why he is not out of bed? What is the warden’s reply?

9. What does Little Loewy tell Rubashov about Loewy’s life?

10. Why does Rubashov meet with Little Loewy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Darkness at Noon. Are these universal symbols that would have the same meaning in any culture? What other symbols could portray the same idea? Why do you think Koestler chooses the symbols he does? Consider symbols such as the window in the prison cell, the Judas hole, the map of Prisoner 406 and Rubashov’s constant cleaning of his monocle.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

Trace and analyze the theme of political philosophy in Darkness at Noon. Consider the following questions as you write: Examine which characters are most concerned with political philosophy and about what their concern is centered. How does political philosophy drive the plot? How is political philosophy responsible for the ultimate fate of Rubashov?

Trace and analyze the theme of individualism in Darkness at Noon. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? How is Rubashov’s suppression of his individualism responsible for Rubashov’s death? Why might a Communist state attempt to eradicate individualism?

Essay Topic 3

Rubashov ultimately talks himself into believing he is guilty of crimes against the state.

Discuss Rubashov’s reasoning that leads him to decide he is guilty of crimes against the state. Do you think, with his line of thinking, he is correct? Use examples from Darkness at Noon to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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