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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 other torture apparatus does Clamence mention in this chapter?

2. What is Clamence too self obsessed to do?

3. What does Clamence observe on the surface of the water?

4. What does Clamence say the underlying environment of the Dutch part of town is like?

5. Where is Clamence sent when he joins the French resistance?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Clamence's views on suicide?

2. How does Clamence lose his title of pope?

3. Describe the Dutch town.

4. How does a fear of judgment affect Clament?

5. What does Clamence remember about Paris in chapter 5?

6. What is Clamence's opinions on Jesus Christ?

7. Why does Clamence call attention to the quaintness of Amsterdam?

8. What is the essence of Clamence's philosophy?

9. How does Clament change when he begins to fear judgment?

10. What does the boat in the fifth chapter represent?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the construction of Clamence's argument.

1) How does he introduce his ideas?

2) How does he deconstruct his ideas into a logical conclusion?

3) Are the ideas that Camus presents in his book, ideas that relate only the way Clamence lived his life or is the argument a critique of society in general?

Essay Topic 2

Examine Clamence's character. What is his objective is? What is his conflict? Take what you know about Clamence and write what kind of life you think he would have in today's society. How would his good and bad points translate into today's society?

Essay Topic 3

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) 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?

2) Away from the narrator examine the way Camus uses the other characters in the story. In what way do they help Clamence get his view across to the reader?

(see the answer keys)

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