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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 Hare-lip say about Rubashov?

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

3. What does Gletkin tell Rubashov is the only way Rubashov can serve the Party now?

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

5. Where does the reader work?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. For what does Wassilij interrupt her reading?

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

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

5. 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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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