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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 expression does the man at the chapel give to Aschenbach?

2. What do Aschenbach's characters represent about his beliefs of humans?

3. How many times has Aschenbach been married?

4. Aschenbach's childhood is characterized by _______.

5. What do Aschenbach's books represent?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Aschenbach's writing popular?

2. How does being an artist change Aschenbach's daily life? How does it set him apart from others?

3. Why does Aschenbach think he hesitated to approach Tadzio?

4. What was Aschenbach's home-life and education like?

5. Why does Aschenbach decide to go to Venice?

6. How would you compare Aschenbach as a youth to the Aschenbach we meet in the beginning of the book?

7. Other than his talent, what about Aschenbach characterized his youth?

8. Why does Aschenbach decide to leave Venice? Why is this a typical response for him to have?

9. How is the first victim of the sickness relevant to Aschenbach?

10. What inspires Aschenbach to travel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the symbolic and metaphorical significance of "the beach?" What purpose does it play other than a stage? What does it represent about Aschenbach's trip, transformation, and emotional and mental state?

Essay Topic 2

"Death In Venice" uses outside information and references to build up the vividness of the scene, story, and characters.

1) Explore Mann's use of Greek mythology and figures.

2) Explore Mann's use of outside, unexplained references (psychology, philosophy, politics, etc.)

3) Argue whether or not the book would have been complete without an understanding of this outside information. Argue whether or not it is a crutch.

Essay Topic 3

What does Aschenbach represent about art, the political situation of the world at the time "Death In Venice" is set, and the city of Venice itself?

(see the answer keys)

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