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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 trial audience yell when the plot to assassinate No. 1 is revealed?

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

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

4. What does Gletkin say is the one duty of the revolution?

5. Where does the reader work?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

3. What happens after 402 taps his farewell to Rubashov?

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

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

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

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

8. How does Wassilij’s daughter read the paper to him?

9. To what other charges does Rubashov concede? What is the one charge that is dropped?

10. What are the first two questions the prosecutor asks Rubashov?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

Compare/contrast the characters of Rubashov and Ivanov. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples. Compare/contrast the characters of Rubashov and Gletkin. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

Essay Topic 2

Stalin initiated the Moscow Show Trials. It was part of his manipulation to eliminate all those who could threaten his power. Based on Rubashov’s reflections about the Party and on what a revolution must do to stay in power, discuss the following:

Was Stalin solely responsible for the Moscow Show Trials, or do you think they reflect the inevitable tendency of the Bolsheviks? Use examples from Darkness at Noon to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

Define plot and include the definitions of the most important elements of a plot. Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not? Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Darkness at Noon, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot? Give a brief synopsis of any important sub-plots.

(see the answer keys)

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