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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 news does Mephistopheles give Martha in her first scene?

2. What sort of animal approaches Faust and Wagner during the holiday celebration?

3. What interrupts Faust when he tries to commit suicide?

4. What is Faust doing in his first appearance in this play?

5. In "Evening," what does Gretchen admit to herself?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Mephistopheles initially held prisoner by Faust and how does he escape?

2. What does Wagner note about the townspeople he and Faust walk with on Easter, and how does Faust dispute his thoughts?

3. What happens when Mephistopheles and Faust go to the tavern in Leipzig?

4. Describe the differing opinions of Gretchen, her mother, and Martha about the mysterious jewels.

5. Describe the argument between the director, the clown, and the poet in "Prelude on the Stage."

6. What concerns does Faust have in regards to his bargain with the devil?

7. Why does Faust decide to try witchcraft in his first scene?

8. Describe the steps taken to make Faust appear younger.

9. What does Gretchen admit out loud to herself while she is alone during "Evening"?

10. What leads up to Faust's suicide attempt and what stops him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role of irony in "Faust." Define the term and use several passages from the text to illustrate these ideas. Suggestions of examples from the text include the following: Faust's first encounter with Mephistopheles falling on Easter, Faust's choice of pursuing Gretchen, Valentine's name, and the notion that Mephistopheles recognizes the greed and hypocrisy of the church. Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

What purposes do the scenes entitled "Walpurgis Night" and "A Walpurgis Night's Dream" serve in this play? Discuss this in the following format:

Part 1) Allusions to Greek mythology, the Bible, and other works of literature.

Part 2) Faust's uneasiness at the celebration.

Part 3) The vision of Gretchen in relation to the purpose of Walpurgis Night.

Part 4) Mephistopheles's reactions to being amongst his people.

Part 5) The absurdities of the humans.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

How does Faust's innate skepticism of higher powers help lead to his downfall? How is this related to his agreement to Mephistopheles's bargain? In addition to his doubts about Mephistopheles's power, why does this lead Faust into a troubled relationship with God? How and why does Faust retain this skepticism throughout the play? What does this suggest about his character as a whole? Discuss these questions (though not exclusively) in a brief essay about Faust's skepticism while using strong examples from the text to support these arguments.

(see the answer keys)

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