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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. Where does Sobakevitch tell Tchitchikov he should not go?

2. Why are the townspeople interested in Tchitchikov?

3. What does Nozdroyov try to get Tchitchikov to buy?

4. With whom does Plyushkin's eldest daughter run off?

5. How old is Manilov's youngest child?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Manilov decide to sell his dead souls to Tchitchikov?

2. Why does Madame Korobotcha sell her souls to Tchitchikov?

3. What does Tchitchikov ask the servant at the hotel?

4. Why do the people of N. take such an interest in Tchitchikov?

5. Why does the narrator not go into detail about Selifan?

6. Why does Tchitchikov need to go to the government building?

7. Why does become Nozdroyov become angry with Tchitchikov and attacks him?

8. How do the women at the ball feel about Tchitchikov's interest in the general's daughter?

9. Why is Plyushkin so miserable?

10. Why is everyone in town talking about Tchitchikov at the beginning of Part 1, Chapter 8?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the character of Andrey. Why do you think so much description is given about him when he does not even appear again in the story? How does Gogol use him to make fun of Russian noblemen?

Essay Topic 2

Explore the use of immorality as a theme in the novel. Which characters are immoral? How does immorality drive the plot? What does the author seem to be saying about immorality, especially within the nobility?

Essay Topic 3

How are Russian women portrayed in the novel? What is the significance of this portrayal? How are the women used to satirize Russian life? How do the women drive the novel's plot? Cite several examples from the book to support your case.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 650 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample