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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. As Rubashov is lying in his cell the first morning, what does he think will happen to him?

2. What is the last thing prisoner 380 yelled as he is pulled down the corridor?

3. What does Rubashov think the barber looks like?

4. How does Rubashov become deaf?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Rubashov the first time he is imprisoned?

2. How does Rubashov prepare for his first interrogation when he thinks they may use the steambath on him?

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

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

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

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

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

8. What was Prisoner 406’s sentence in his country of origin? How much time does he serve? How does he get out of prison?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

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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