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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. What bird does Sinclair dream about?

2. Who does Sinclair want to confess to in this chapter?

3. Who does Sinclair want to save him?

4. Which of the following sorts of people were in Sinclair's class?

5. Where is the keystone?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are Sinclair's new thoughts threatening his security?

2. How is Sinclair's relationship with Pistorius changing in chapter 6?

3. How is Sinclair's dream about the sparrow hawk significant?

4. Why do the other students start to treat Sinclair with respect?

5. What does Sinclair learn about the organist in this chapter?

6. What does Demain share with Sinclair in chapter 3?

7. How are Sinclairs problems with Kromer affecting his mindset in chapter 1?

8. What new perspective does Demain give Sinclair on the story of Cain and Abel?

9. Summarize the novel.

10. Why is Demian so important to the maturing Sinclair in chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How different would Sinclair life have been if he stayed in the light realm? What do the students think will happen to Sinclair if he stays in the forbidden realm?

Essay Topic 2

Demian is written in the first person. Why do you think Hesse chose to write the story in the first person? How do you think the meaning of the story would have changed if it were written in the third person? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Hesse use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Aside from the main character, examine the way Hesse uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

(see the answer keys)

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