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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. Between what does Rubashov’s condition alternate during the hearing?

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

3. Who does the reader sign up to marry three weeks ago?

4. What does the reader ask Wassilij before Wassilij signs the petition?

5. What worries Wassilij about contradicting the reader?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Rubashov begins to address the court, what does he say he will talk about?

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

3. What does Rubashov think about the party as he is waiting to be executed?

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

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

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

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

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

10. What verdict is reached on Rubashov's charges? What evidence is presented?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ivanov comes to Rubashov’s cell and talks to Rubashov about the greater good and how it is all right that so many people have been killed during and after the revolution, as the killings are for the greater good of mankind. He says that murder for personal reasons is morally wrong but it is not for state reasons.

Discuss Ivanov’s beliefs above about the state needing to kill so many people in order to make the future better. What are the steps in Ivanov’s reasoning which bring him to this conclusion? Use examples from Darkness at Noon to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss one of the following:

Trace and analyze the theme of political philosophy in Darkness at Noon. Consider the following questions as you write: Examine which characters are most concerned with political philosophy and about what their concern is centered. How does political philosophy drive the plot? How is political philosophy responsible for the ultimate fate of Rubashov?

Trace and analyze the theme of individualism in Darkness at Noon. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? How is Rubashov’s suppression of his individualism responsible for Rubashov’s death? Why might a Communist state attempt to eradicate individualism?

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