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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 does the protagonist of "The Circular Ruins" learn about himself?

2. What war is being fought in "The Garden of Forking Paths"?

3. In "Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius", what is unique about the description of the country in the The Anglo-American Encyclopedia?

4. From what point of view is "The Library of Babel" written?

5. In "The Approach to Al-Mu'tasim," why does the student decide to travel the country?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is discovered among the late Herbert Ashe's belongings?

2. According to the narrator, what is the most important theme of "The Approach of Al-Mu'tasim"?

3. How does Dr. Yu Tsun arrive at Stephen Albert's house?

4. Describe Pierre Menard.

5. What fear does the Company in "The Babylon Lottery" inspire?

6. Why can't the inappropriate information in the library of Babel be destroyed?

7. What opinion does the narrator of "Pierre Menard, Author of Don Quixote" have of Menard's work?

8. Describe the first dream from "The Circular Ruins."

9. Describe the satire present in "An Examination of the Work of Herbert Quain."

10. What is unique about the Babylon lottery?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Borges' use of labyrinths in "Ficciones." How does a labyrinth differ from a maze? How do characters create labyrinths, and what purpose do they serve? What warnings does Borges give his readers through the use of labyrinths?

Essay Topic 2

What is the symbolism of Moon's scar? Why does he hide his identity when the scar is clearly visible? What impact might the scar have on his ability to find redemption for his actions?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the use of dreams and alternate reality in Borges' work. What abilities are Borges' characters given in these alternate states? How does Borges use alternate states to express his themes?

(see the answer keys)

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