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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 Erik Lonnrot believe the third man in "Death and the Compass" was murdered?

2. What happens during Jaromir Hladik's execution?

3. What does Jaromir Hladik hear in a dream?

4. Why does the narrator have to leave his cousin's house?

5. To whom does Nils Runeberg compare Judas?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is "Three Versions of Judas" designed to deceive the reader?

2. How is Fergus Kilpatrick both a traitor and a hero?

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

4. In "Theme of the Traitor and Hero," what coincidences raise Ryan's suspicion?

5. How does Jaromir Hladik complete his play?

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

7. Who is the traitor scheduled for execution in "Theme of the Traitor and Hero"?

8. How does the Englishman in "The Form of the Sword" receive the scar on his face?

9. In "The Form of the Sword," what symbolism is evident in the scar on the Englishman's face?

10. What unique abilities does Ireneo Funes possess?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the use of metaphors in "Ficciones." How do implicit metaphors differ from implicit metaphors? How do metaphors express themes more clearly than plain narrative? What analogies does Borges create in his stories?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Describe the philosophy of idealism. How does Borges express the tenets of idealism in "The Circular Ruins"? What power does Borges attribute to the human mind?

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This section contains 1,384 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample