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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 does Sinclair's father dismiss Demian's ideas as?

2. Where was the repentant thief when Jesus befriended him?

3. What does Demian show Sinclair how to predict?

4. What class do Sinclair and Demian meet in after three years?

5. What does Kromer demand from Sinclair?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Sinclair feel he has to fight to stay alive in chapter 8?

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

3. How does Pistorius interpret one of Sinclair's flying dreams in chapter 5?

4. How does Eva and Sinclair's relationship become deeper in chapter 7?

5. How do things change for the worse at the end of chapter 7?

6. How does Sinclair become acquainted with the organist in chapter 5?

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

8. How does Sinclair's world change when he meets Kromer?

9. What does Demain tell Sinclair in chapter 8?

10. What does Pitorius encourage Sinclair to do at the beginning of chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Examine Cainnites.

1) What was the Cainnites doctrine?

2) How were the Cainnites views by more orthodox Christians?

3) In what way can Demian be considered a Cainnite?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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