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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Aschenbach become frustrated with the gondolier?

2. What arrangements does Aschenbach make to stay in Venice longer?

3. Aschenbach feels ______ when the Polish family isn't at dinner.

4. At the height of Aschenbach's obsession with Tadzio, what sense has Tadzio reinvigorated in Aschenbach?

5. What sense do the boatmen give to Aschenbach?

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

The beginning of "Death In Venice" is full of foreshadowing.

1) Highlight points in the book where Mann and the narrator make abstract foreshadowing.

2) Highlight points in the book where you feel the outcome is predictable, given the concreteness the narrator or Mann has given the reader.

3) Highlight points where the course of the book changes, and what the narrator and Mann had established seem to veer from the reader's predictions.

4) To what point does this predictability work towards?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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