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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. Of what is Faust irrationally jealous in regards to its proximity to Gretchen?

2. While considering Faust's request in "Martha's Garden," of what is Gretchen afraid?

3. Who is Valentine?

4. What does Faust see around Gretchen's neck in his vision of her in "Walpurgis Night"?

5. Why does Mephistopheles come to Gretchen's cell at the end of the play?

Short Essay Questions

1. What torments Gretchen at the cathedral and why?

2. Why is Gretchen is prison?

3. What is ironic about Mephistopheles's statement that Gretchen is doomed?

4. Why must Faust lie to Martha about her husband?

5. Why does Mephistopheles keep trying to subvert Faust from examining his vision of Gretchen?

6. What is Walpurgis Night?

7. Describe the enormity of Gretchen's sorrows.

8. Describe Faust's vision of Gretchen.

9. Describe some of the characters in the chapter "Walpurgis Night."

10. Describe the seduction of Gretchen up until the end of "A Forest Cavern."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do characters in "Faust" use manipulation to their own advantage? How does Mephistopheles manage to manipulate every human he comes into contact with and why? How does Faust himself manipulate Gretchen? What are the consequences of these manipulations? Why is it significant that Faust is unable to admit to himself that he has manipulated Gretchen, while Mephistopheles rarely hides his intentions? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the character of Faust in the following format:

Part 1) His crisis of faith and depression.

Part 2) His personality.

Part 3) His relationship with God and Mephistopheles.

Part 4) His use of manipulation in love.

Part 5) His feelings of guilt in regards to both Gretchen and his bargain with the devil.

Develop a clear thesis statement about Faust and be sure to discuss the changes Faust undergoes in each category. Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

What roles do women play in the society of this play? Why is it significant that the town and Valentine held Gretchen's worth so high but immediately tore her down because of her pregnancy? How is the unseen-character of Barbara related to this fact? How does Faust, despite his professed love of Gretchen, also reduce her character down to what he wants her to be? How does Martha and her role as an abused wife suggest the esteem in which women are held? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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