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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 aware is Aschenbach of his own mortality?

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

3. What expression does the man at the chapel give to Aschenbach?

4. What is the purpose of Part Two of "Death In Venice?"

5. How many times has Aschenbach been married?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the quality of Aschenbach's boat journey to Venice that makes him nervous and suspicious?

3. What was suspicious about the gondolier? Why does he run away?

4. When Aschenbach sees the Polish boy in the hotel, what does he compare him to? Why?

5. How does Achenbach know that Tadzio is aware of his adoration?

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

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

8. What effect did Aschenbach's parents' attributes have on him?

9. What happened to Aschenbach's wife? What is his family situation now?

10. Why is Aschenbach's writing popular?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are no active female characters in "Death In Venice," only Aschenbach's deceased wife and Tadzio's mother and sisters. What is the significance of such a large amount of male characters? How does this contribute to the theme of Aschenbach's feelings for Tadzio? Why is this crucial to the book?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

The narrator is in control of the way the readers see "Death In Venice." Why is the personality of the narrator crucial to the story? Why couldn't the story of "Death In Venice" exist without this narrator?

(see the answer keys)

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