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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. At the chapel, Aschenbach encounters a _______ man.

2. The man at the chapel has _____ teeth.

3. How long has Aschenbach been sick?

4. What is Aschenbach's father's profession?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What is wrong with Aschenbach's physical health?

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

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

4. How is the street performer similar to the man Aschenbach sees at the chapel in Part One? How is he similar to other men Aschenbach has seen throughout "Death In Venice?"

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

6. Why is Aschenbach excited about the possibility of Tadzio staying in Venice through the quarantine?

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

8. How does Aschenbach's new look make him similar to the Old Fop?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the similarities between Aschenbach and Tadzio? Why is he pleased with this unlikely resemblance? What about this relationship wears down Aschenbach's self-esteem, yet builds up his self-importance?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Choose one of the three positions to argue:

1) Aschenbach's diligence is close to religious observance.

2) Aschenbach gradually transforms into a religious man.

3) Aschenbach began as an ethical man but transforms into a degenerate.

(see the answer keys)

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