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

2. Why does Rubashov feel sorry for Prisoner 402?

3. What does Little Loewy smoke?

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

5. What kind of stories did the prisoner in cell 402 often tell?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Rubashov meet with Little Loewy?

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

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

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

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

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

8. Why is the agriculturist killed?

9. How does rub meet Prisoner 406 and what does the 406 show Rubashov?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rubashov is told to confess to his crimes and go to his death silently so that his trial can be a warning to others and help heal the rift that is occurring in the Party.

Why do you think Rubashov, at the end, is willing to do what a Party who is going to kill him asks him to do? Use examples from Darkness at Noon to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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 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?

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