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

2. What does Rubashov do with his confession before supper?

3. What does 402 say when Rubashov tells him Rubashov is capitulating?

4. What happens to Rubashov over the next several days following his first interview with Gletkin?

5. What does Rubashov realize about his position with Gletkin?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

4. For what does Wassilij interrupt her reading?

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

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

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

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

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

10. What does the reactionary peasant do to end up in prison?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although women were supposedly liberated along with the men during the revolution, all the of the top leaders of the revolution and those in power were men. One of the women most written about is Arlova, Rubashov’s secretary at one time. She ends up being executed because she allowed Rubashov to use her as he liked.

Discuss the treatment of women in Darkness at Noon. Could the novel be considered sexist?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not? Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Darkness at Noon help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Darkness at Noon? Why or why not? Use examples from Darkness at Noon to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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