View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What images does Xavier try to fill his mind with?

2. What colour is Charlie's lighter?

3. Which is the smallest Jewish community mentioned?

4. Where did Charlie move after dropping out of school?

5. What is inside the deposit box?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Xavier is transferred to Columbia House?

2. Why does Pili work with the Gestapo?

3. Why does Xavier not tell Nebe of the painting in Zurich?

4. Why do you think Xavier chooses to visit Pili?

5. What is the arrangement for the deposit box at the Swiss bank?

6. Why does Nebe consider Xavier an irony?

7. What is Luther's plan?

8. How does Xavier react to Charlie having followed him?

9. How does Xavier try to justify parking in front of the Great Hall?

10. Why does Nebe allow Xavier to go to Switzerland?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Fatherland is part of the thriller genre. What are the conventions of the genre in terms of character, language and plot? How does the alternate history affect the impact of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

How did the German government keep the extermination of the Jews secret from the rest of the world? Do you think it is possible to keep such a secret?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 591 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample