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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. Why can Sinclair not say good bye to Demian?

2. Who did Sinclair steal the apples from?

3. Who does Demian say he would have as a friend rather than the repentant thief?

4. What kind of stories do the workmen tell?

5. What secret does Demian share with Sinclair in this chapter?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Demain tell Sinclair in chapter 8?

2. What theory does Sinclair develops in chapter 3?

3. Describe the character of Demain.

4. What destructive pattern does Sinclair follow in chapter 4?

5. What does Pistorius tell Sinclair in chapter 5?

6. How does Sinclair's life change at the end of chapter 3?

7. How does Demian encourage Sinclair to look at religion in chapter 3?

8. What is Sinclair's main conflict in chapter 3?

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

10. Describe the character of Kromer.

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

What was Sinclair's relationship with his father at the beginning of the book? Why does their relationship change so dramatically? In what way is their poor relationship affecting Sinclair in a bad way? In what ways does Sinclair need his father?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the significance of the sparrow hawk.

1) What does the sparrow hawk symbolize and why does it become such an essential part of the book?

2) How is it important that the sparrow hawk is carved in the keystone outside of Sinclair's house?

(see the answer keys)

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