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

2. What does Ivanov call Rubashov’s accuser?

3. What does Rubashov need in order to get cigarettes?

4. What does 406 say is the reason he is in prison?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Why is the agriculturist killed?

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

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

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

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

10. How does Rubashov respond to the evidence and charges Ivanov presents? What is Ivanov’s response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the following:

Identify the protagonists of the story and why you believe they are such? Identify the antagonists of the story and why you believe they are such? Which three secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot? Which, if any, characters are not essential to the story? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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