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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 happened to Arlova?

2. What does Ivanov say is incompatible with social progress?

3. What does the agriculturist who is killed believe is the best fertilizer?

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

5. What does Ivanov say would have made Raskolnikov innocent of a crime?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. What does Rubashov see the last night of the two weeks given to Rubashov by Ivanov? Who arranges it?

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

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

9. Why is the agriculturist killed?

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

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:

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

Characters are an important part of what makes Darkness at Noon interesting. Discuss the following:

Thoroughly discuss and analyze Rubashov. What are his strengths and weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he usually likable? Seldom likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas. Use the same criteria to thoroughly discuss and analyze No. 402 and Gletkin.

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