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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 Demian say causes a person to enter the dark side?

2. Who did Sinclair steal the apples from?

3. What does Sinclair call the woman he meets in the park?

4. What Bible story does the teacher tell in the class Sinclair shares with Demian?

5. What does Sinclair call the world outside the world of light?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Knaurer tell Sinclair in chapter 6?

2. In what way does Demian beome part of Sinclair's thoughts in chapter 4?

3. What dominates Sinclair's thoughts during his travels?

4. Describe the vision Sinclair has in chapter 8?

5. What dreadful event happens at the beginning of chapter 8?

6. How does Demian help Sinclair with Kromer?

7. Who is Abraxas?

8. What does the sparrow hawk symbolize?

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

10. How does Sinclair feel when he enters boarding school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare the two generations presented in the book in terms of the following:

1) Family

2) Religion

3) Politics

Essay Topic 2

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 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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