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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. Why does the narrator visit Ireneo Funes before returning home?

2. How does the Irishman rescue John Vincent Moon?

3. Who is Fergus Kilpatrick?

4. In "Death and the Compass," what do the police find at each crime scene?

5. How does Fergus Kilpatrick die?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "Theme of the Traitor and Hero," why are the details of Ryan's great-grandfather's death obscured?

2. What irony is evident in the membership of the Sect of the Phoenix?

3. What discovery does Erik Lonnrot make about the murders at the fourth crime scene?

4. Describe Jaromir Hladik.

5. What does the house in "Death and the Compass" symbolize?

6. Why does language frustrate Ireneo Funes?

7. Why does the Englishman in "The Form of the Sword" hide his identity in the story?

8. What secret does the Sect of the Phoenix keep?

9. In "The End," why do the black man and the stranger fight?

10. What is Jaromir Hladik's prayer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the theme of information as presented in "Ficciones." According to Borges, what role does information play in society? How do individuals seek to control information? Can information be suppressed?

Essay Topic 3

How does Borges use the theme of betrayal in his work? According to Borges, what are the long- and short-term effects of betrayal? What lesson does Borges teach about betrayal through "The Form of the Sword"?

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