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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 prosecutor demand at the end of his speech?

2. What does Hare-lip say is the what Rubashov says is the way No. 1 will no longer be in power?

3. Where does the reader work?

4. What color of scarf is the reader wearing?

5. What makes Wassilij start to cough?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rubashov say some of his ideas could cause?

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

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

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

5. What does Rubashov ask for when he is taken before Gletkin for Rubashov’s third hearing? What is Gletkin’s response?

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

7. How does Rubashov respond to Hare-lip’s accusations?

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

9. What does Wassilij think about right after the questions concerning Arlova are read to him?

10. What is Wassilij’s daughter thinking as she reads the paper out loud?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Darkness at Noon. Are these universal symbols that would have the same meaning in any culture? What other symbols could portray the same idea? Why do you think Koestler chooses the symbols he does? Consider symbols such as the window in the prison cell, the Judas hole, the map of Prisoner 406 and Rubashov’s constant cleaning of his monocle.

Essay Topic 2

In the Second Hearing, Rubashov writes of an agriculturist who was killed because he believed nitrate artificial fertilizer was superior to potash.

Discuss how Rubashov relates the above to the communist government’s tendency at that time to kill anyone who disagrees with the government about any subject and how Rubashov believes only the future will know who is right. Use examples from Darkness at Noon to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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