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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 the resolution that the reader signed demand?

2. Why does Wassilij turn his head away from the reader?

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

4. Why doesn’t Wassiij hear the prosecutor’s speech as it is read?

5. What right does the newspaper say Rubashov waived for the trial?

Short Essay Questions

1. For what does Wassilij interrupt her reading?

2. What is the result of Gletkin’s pushing Rubashov with no sleep?

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

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

5. With whom does Gletkin confront Rubashov and with what charge?

6. What does Wassilij’s daughter have to say about Rubashov’s trial and what is his response?

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

8. What is Rubashov’s response about Arlova when the prosecutor asks about her? What does the prosecutor say to Rubashov about Arlova?

9. Why is Rubashov confused after he hands over his confession?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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