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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 Wassilij ask the reader about the petition she has?

2. What does Rubashov say has always been his motives for anything?

3. How does the reader heat water for tea?

4. Who is in the room to which Rubashov is taken for his third hearing?

5. What does Rubashov think is the reason Gletkin reads in a monotone?

Short Essay Questions

1. For what reason does Rubashov think the regime is attempting to get rid of the old guard?

2. What happens with Rubashov right after he signs the last charge?

3. What does Wassilij’s daughter tell him about the petition at work?

4. How does Wassilij’s daughter read the paper to him?

5. What does Rubashov feel about the grammatical fiction and the USSR right before he is taken to be killed?

6. What does the prisoner in 402 tell Rubashov to do before they come for Rubashov and how long does 402 have to remain in prison? What are 402’s last words to Rubashov?

7. What does Rubashov confess to in the beginning? What is Gletkin’s response to this?

8. What happens after 402 taps his farewell to Rubashov?

9. To what other charges does Rubashov concede? What is the one charge that is dropped?

10. What does Prisoner 402 say about capitulation? What does Rubashov think of this belief?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

Define plot and include the definitions of the most important elements of a plot. Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not? Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Darkness at Noon, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot? Give a brief synopsis of any important sub-plots.

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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