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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 Aschenbach live?

2. What does Aschenbach credit his level of greatness to?

3. What characterized Aschenbach in his youth?

4. Aschenbach has a _______ complexion.

5. How many times has Aschenbach been divorced?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Aschenbach draw back from his daydream?

2. What does the dream that Aschenbach has add to how the reader sees his transformation?

3. In Aschenbach's opinion, what does art conquer?

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

5. Why does Aschenbach smile at Tadzio when he sees him and his family at the end of Part Four? What does Aschenbach do after?

6. In what era does "Death In Venice" take place? What major historical landmark is referenced?

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

8. How does Aschenbach feel when he observes Tadzio is ill and may not live long? Why might he feel this way?

9. What is peculiar about one of the young men on the boat? Why does this upset Aschenbach?

10. In Aschenbach's mind, Tadzio beckons Aschenbach to the water before Aschenbach dies. What does this say about Tadzio's real purpose?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Aschenbach severely disapproves of any falsehood or disguise.

1) Why does he object to this so much?

2) What do falsehood and disguise symbolize to him?

3) What does it mean when Aschenbach begins wearing a disguise himself?

Essay Topic 2

What parallels can be drawn between Aschenbch and Jashu in their relationship to Tadzio?

Essay Topic 3

In "Death In Venice," Mann uses colors to give dimension to characters and to represent themes. Write an essay discussing Mann's use of reoccurring colors to represent the themes and flesh out characters. What do these colors represent? When does Mann chose to use color? How can the development of the story and the transformation of Aschenbach be traced through color?

(see the answer keys)

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