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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 Ivanov say has driven many to martyrdom?

2. When No. 402 proclaims the emperor, what does Rubashov say to him?

3. What was Richard’s trade?

4. In the car, what does Rubashov tell the younger official the official should study?

5. What does Rubashov do first when they lock him in his cell?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Where does Rubashov take the taxi when he leaves Richard? What does the driver do when they arrive there?

4. What does Rubashov daydream about on his seventh day in prison?

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

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

7. Why does Rubashov feel guilty about Arlova’s death?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

Compare/contrast the characters of Rubashov and Ivanov. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples. Compare/contrast the characters of Rubashov and Gletkin. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

Essay Topic 3

Often, authors will write about what they know. Sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Arthur Koestler. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Koestler's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Koestler's probable agenda concerning that idea.

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