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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Aschenbach compare the second boatman's beard to?

2. When Aschenbach is forced to stay in Venice what is he able to do?

3. Tadzio has reinstated Aschenbach's sense of _______.

4. At the beach, Aschenbach eats _________.

5. Where does Aschenbach frequently see Tadzio?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

"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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 227 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample