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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 colour are the walls of the reception room where Frau Trinkl views the body?

2. What do the stairs of Xavier's apartment smell of?

3. Which composer is being played in the run-up to the announcement?

4. What does Max Jaeger compare his drink to?

5. What is Walther Fiebes drinking in his office?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the three possible solutions Xavier poses as solutions to Buhler's death?

2. What is the official history of resettlement in Poland, as described by Rudi Halder?

3. Why do you think Max is scared by the Gestapo involvement in Buhler's death?

4. What is in the cellar of Buhler's house?

5. What did Charlie notice when she first visited Stuckart's apartment?

6. What does Xavier learn from Frau Trinkl?

7. What is inside the package Xavier takes from Buhler's mailbox?

8. Why had Nebe blocked the court-martial proceedings against Xavier?

9. What is the significance of President Kennedy's visit to Berlin?

10. Describe Xavier March's apartment.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the book's chronological setting.

1. What were the main concerns during the 1960s? How does the author express these concerns in his alternate history?

2. How would the author change the book if it was set in today's society? Would the story be as possible?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Fatherland with one of Harris' later modern historical novels Enigma and Archangel. How does his style develop? Does he change his viewpoint in any significant ways? How do you think his career as a journalist affected his novel writing?

Essay Topic 3

How does Harris represent both American and German cultures in his novels? What way could these representations be called problematic?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 702 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample