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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 author does Aschenbach reference to describe his physical health?

2. How does Aschenbach dress?

3. How many times has Aschenbach been married?

4. How many children does Aschenbach have?

5. What did Aschenbach want but never get?

Short Essay Questions

1. When does Aschenbach arrive in Pola? Why does he leave Pola?

2. Why is Aschenbach comforted by the idea of a quarantine?

3. Does Aschenbach look at Tadzio analytically or with glorification?

4. Why does Aschenbach return to the chapel? What is he hoping for?

5. How does Aschenbach draw back from his daydream?

6. What are the physical attributes of the strange man Aschenbach encounters at the chapel?

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

8. How does Venice reflect Aschenbach's mental state?

9. How does Aschenbach experience the morning? What are the metaphors he uses?

10. Why does Aschenbach decide to stay? What does this decision mean in terms of a change in Aschenbach?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Aschenbach has a complex relationship with "youth" in "Death In Venice."

1) What is Aschenbach's relationship to youth early in the book?

2) How does Aschenbach run parallel to youth throughout the book?

3) How do Aschenbach and youth intersect in "Death In Venice?"

4) How does death play a role in Aschenbach's relationship to youth?

Essay Topic 2

What does "dignity" mean to Aschenbach? How does his definition of "dignity" change through "Death In Venice?" How does he justify this change and cling to his dignity?

Essay Topic 3

Tadzio is the most pivotal figure in Aschenbach's life during the time of "Death In Venice." Throughout the book he takes on many different roles. What is the greater purpose of Tadzio's representation?

(see the answer keys)

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