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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 is in the room to which Rubashov is taken for his third hearing?

2. What does the newspaper say is the type of evidence against Rubashov?

3. Why is Rubashov taken outside during one of his hearings?

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

5. What temptation does Rubashov say he has overcome?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. 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?

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

6. What does Wassilij say to his daughter about Rubashov’s speech?

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

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

9. What does Rubashov’s diary entry at the beginning of the Third Hearing contain?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

Identify the protagonists of the story and why you believe they are such? Identify the antagonists of the story and why you believe they are such? Which three secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot? Which, if any, characters are not essential to the story? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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