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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 "humble view" does the author say he presents to the young man?

2. What does the author urge the young man to do with his "droll fancies"?

3. What is the author's attitude toward depression?

4. Why does the author say it seems superfluous to tell the young man what is aesthetic?

5. What phrase does the young man fling about according to the author?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are somethings the author writes might be said to a depressed young man?

2. What risk does the author say one runs when one despairs about something in particular?

3. What does the author write about "the Moment"?

4. What is the relationship between the ethical and the aesthetic?

5. What does the author dislike about philosophy?

6. What "gift of grace" does the author say he would add to those listed in the bible?

7. What does the author say is the proper attitude for a married man in a time of material need?

8. What is the point of the author's story about the count and countess?

9. Why does the author write humans fear death?

10. Why does the author warn against young men being tied down to making a living right away?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Both the author of the letter and the letter's recipient are men. Discuss the influence of gender in EITHER/OR. How might the letter be different if it were written by or to a woman? Why do you think both of the characters are men? Discuss citing specific examples.

Essay Topic 2

What do we come to understand about the young man to whom the letter is written? Create and defend a detailed portrait of the young man using specific clues from the text.

Essay Topic 3

The author writes at length about the importance of making a living. He also suggests that diving immediately into this task entails certain risks. Thoroughly define the author's views with respect to making a living and defend or refute his position using specific examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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