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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. Who did Grandfather "murder?"

2. What does Safran get paid to do by the Sloucher congregation?

3. After leaving Lista and drinking vodka, what do Grandfather, Alex, and Jonathan argue about?

4. What is written on Sofiowka's chest when he is found dead?

5. What does Grandfather pull out of the "In Case" box the first time?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is it ironic that Safran asks his great-great-great-grandfather to not "let me hate who I become" (141)?

2. Alex asks Jonathan to finish writing the chapter "An Overture to Illumination." Why? Does Jonathan do it? How can you tell?

3. "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.

4. Although the novel does not say it directly, based on what is written in the Book of Antecedents, what can we assume Brod asked the Kolker to do? Why would she ask this?

5. After reading "What We Saw When We Saw Trachimbrod, or Falling in Love," the reader might suspect that Lista was a character in her own story. Who might she be? How do you know? Why do this?

6. In "Letter Dated 12 December 1997," what does Alex think about Jonathan's writing about Safran? Is this hypocritical? What has Alex learned?

7. Does the old woman in "Falling in Love" know Jonathan's grandfather? What does she tell Jonathan?

8. What is odd about Zosha's family home?

9. How does the Kolker change in "The Dial, 1941-1804-1941"?

10. Is Jonathan a reliable narrator? Defend your response.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Jonathan Safran Foer is both the writer of the novel and is a character in the novel, yet this is a work of fiction. He must include himself in the story for a reason. Research the author and show how his own life has influenced Everything is Illuminated. Make sure you find at least three different resources. Only one of your sources may be from the internet. Compare and contrast the real Jonathan with the fictitious Jonathan.

Essay Topic 2

What is love? This question has been asked by many playwrights, poets, and novelists. There are many different answers, and many of them are true. Jonathan Safran Foer is no exception and has written a novel about the depths of love and what true love is. This novel explores the absence of love, the definition of love, and the acceptance of love. Explore and analyze Foer's concept of love in an essay. Reference the novel to aid in your response.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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