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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. How many books does the library of Babel contain?

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

3. What does the protagonist of "The Circular Ruins" love to do?

4. Why are some lottery players imprisoned?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the most important possession to the people of Tlon?

2. In "The Examination of the World of Herbert Quain," how does Borges use fictional literature to present his themes?

3. Why does Dr. Yu Tsun murder Dr. Albert?

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

5. How does the Babylon lottery cause an uprising?

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

7. Describe Dr. Yu Tsun.

8. How is the universe described in "The Library of Babel"?

9. Describe Herbert Quain.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What ironies does Borges point out in literature? How does Borges use style to create irony? What themes does Borges express through the use of irony?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Borges' view of redemption. Who is Al-Mu'tasim? What is the significance of the student's journey? How does the student find redemption?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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This section contains 1,070 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample