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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 new priest do when he arrives in the town near the farmhouse?

2. Upon what four things in the catechism does Thérèse concentrate?

3. Who relishes her breakfast the next morning though Louis and Thérèse refuse to eat?

4. What does Léonie dream in the nightmare at the beginning of Chapter 18?

5. Who of the Germans stays at the Martin estate during the war?

Short Essay Questions

1. Briefly describe the scene about the broth and discuss its possible symbolism in the chapter "The Slotted Spoon."

2. How does the theme of social class appear in the chapter "The Sack"?

3. What scene in the chapter, "The Camp Bed," suggests that the personal dynamics of the household is about to change?

4. In the chapter, "The Quimper Dish, what do you think is the reason behind Thérèse's sudden "illness"?

5. In the chapter, "The Coffee Bowls," how do you think Léonie is symbolically similar to the house?

6. What in "The Ivory Ring" chapter foreshadows Thérèse's despondency about her mother's death and her father transferring his affection to Madeleine?

7. What do you think the wind Léonie feels means?

8. Describe how the church is decorated for the upcoming festival and what is perhaps a bit odd about that.

9. Describe the vision experience that Thérèse has in this chapter.

10. How is the relationship between Baptiste and Léonie developed in this chapter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The two main characters, Léonie and Thérèse, are cousins (or perhaps sisters), though, they are in some ways mirror opposites of each other...or are they. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. In what ways are Léonie and Thérèse complete opposites; give several examples and explain your choices.

2. In what ways are Léonie and Thérèse similar; give several examples and explain your choices.

3. Which cousin seems to be more "real"? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Dreams are detailed in several chapters of this work; two particularly long ones are in chapter 1 and chapter 47. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Describe several symbols in the dreams and their meaning.

2. What do you think is the purpose of using dreams in this novel?

3. How effective are the dreams at explaining the interior landscape of Thérèse and Léonie, since each character dreams one of the two significant dreams.

4. Do you find that dreams contribute to the meaning of this work? What about other literature or film that has one or more dream scenes?

Essay Topic 3

Though this novel contains a complex interrelationship of themes, characters, and imagery, each character, even those not born at the time, is affected by the occupation of the Nazis and their execution of the Jewish family which Henri and Rose shelters. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Trace how Antoinette has been affected by the Nazi occupation of the Martin house and the village. Give examples and discuss what you think actually happened to Antoinette down in the cellar and how that informs the rest of Antoinette's life.

2. After doing some research, discuss how the country of France in general reacts to the Nazi persecution of Jews of French citizenship. Give examples and relate your research to what happens in this novel.

3. Discuss why you think Léonie chooses to reveal what she knows about the events during the Nazi occupation. Is there any reason for going back to the past and trying to place blame? Should anything happen to the informant this long after the actual event? What do you think should be done?

(see the answer keys)

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