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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. How many souls does Platon own?

2. Tchitchikov tells Skudronzhoglo he has never met anyone as what as him?

3. Who drops dead while thinking about Tchitchikov and the rumors around him?

4. Why does Andrey quit his job in Petersburg?

5. Why does Tchitchikov borrow money?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Tchitchikov feel about General Betrishtchev when he meets him?

2. Why do Anna and Sofia think Tchitchikov is collecting dead souls?

3. Why does Lyenitsyn considering selling his dead souls to Tchitchikov?

4. What does Andrey do for work?

5. What happens when Tchitchikov tries to go to the governor's house?

6. Why is Tchitchikov thrown in prison in Part 2, Chapter 5?

7. Why does Tchitchikov leave N?

8. Why does Tchitchikov spend time in prison prior to coming to N?

9. Why is Tchitchikov happy to make Skudronzhoglo's acquaintance?

10. What does Skudronzhoglo tell Tchitchikov about getting rich?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why is it significant that the narrator waits until the end of Part 1 to reveal the true nature of Tchitchikov? How does he try to make the reader feel sorry for Tchitchikov? Is he successful? Why do you think the narrator is so intent on making Tchitchikov out to be a hero when he has done so many horrible things?

Essay Topic 2

Explore the character Madame Korobotcha. What role does she play in the story? What is interesting about the way Tchitchikov treats her? How does Madame Korobotcha's role in the story help the reader to get a better idea about the motives and true nature of Tchitchikov?

Essay Topic 3

Why is it significant that the narrator refuses to quote Sofia and Anna speaking in French to each other? How does Gogol use his novel to call for a change in Russian society? What is he critical of? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

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