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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 the woman give Jonathan?
2. What do Grandfather, Alex, and Jonathan have for dinner after they leave Lista?
3. At the end of "The Dial, 1941-1804-1941," Brod tells Kolker that she loves him and "for the first time in her life, the words had meaning" (139). Why do the words have meaning now?
4. What did the Nazi's first do when they came to Trachimbrod?
5. Who thinks "This is love . . When you notice someone's absence and hate that absence more than anything" (121)?
Short Essay Questions
1. How does Alex feel about the truth in "Letter Dated 12 December 1997?"
2. Does the old woman in "Falling in Love" know Jonathan's grandfather? What does she tell Jonathan?
3. Why does Alex lie about his sex life?
4. Alex has changed throughout the novel. Identify how he has changed by the time he writes "Letter Dated 24 December 1997." What do you think brought about the change?
5. With everything that has happened to Jonathan, Alex, and Grandfather, even Grandfather goes through some significant changes. In "An Overture to Illumination," Grandfather makes the waitress apologize to Jonathan. Why? What is different about Grandfather? How and why has he changed?
6. Why does Alex send back the money that Jonathan sent him? Why is he angry?
7. Why do women fall in love with Safran?
8. "Letter Dated 17 November 1997" revolves around the theme of forgiveness. Give at least one example of who needs to be granted forgiveness and the reason.
9. In "Falling in Love," what does "Augustine" look like?
10. Why does Grandfather ask Alex for money and what does Alex say in return? Will Alex give him the money?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
As a historical fiction, this novel is influenced by real events and ideas. Analyze how World War II or the Jewish culture have influenced this novel. For example, you may show how the violence of the war led to the violence in the family unit, or show how the Jewish culture has led to the use of themes like rebirth, suffering, sadness, justice, or forgiveness. Use examples from the novel to support your conclusions.
Essay Topic 2
Compare and contrast the characters of Lista and Grandfather. Do not focus on external characteristics, as these will be obvious. Instead, think about what kind of people they are. How do they handle pain? How do they feel about forgiveness? What kinds of life choices do they make? How do they live or not live?
Essay Topic 3
In the beginning of the novel, Jonathan tells Alex not to change his mistakes because they make the story humorous. He says that it is "the only truthful way to tell a sad story" (53). Do you agree or disagree? Discuss the concept that being "humorous is the only truthful way to tell a sad story" (53). Use examples of how humor is used throughout the novel and explain how they lead to truth and how humor can help when telling a sad story.
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This section contains 1,489 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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