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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 is Jaromir Hladik scheduled to be executed?

2. Why are Nils Runeberg's theories controversial?

3. In the story, "The End," with whom does the stranger converse?

4. How does Nils Runeberg die?

5. From what illness does Nils Runeberg suffer?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Erik Lonnrot discover the location of the fourth murder?

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

4. In "The Form of the Sword," how does the Irishman rescue John Vincent Moon?

5. How do the stranger and the black man feel about their rivalry?

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

7. Why does language frustrate Ireneo Funes?

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

9. Why does Ireneo Funes suffer from insomnia?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Borges' use of time. How does he use verbal imagery to describe the concept of time? What relationship does Borges' create between time and space? How does he use the alteration of time to express his themes?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

How does Borges use fictional and legitimate literature to express his themes? What effect does the use of historically accurate references and literature have on the realism of Borges' work? What effect does the insertion of both fictional and legitimate literature have on the reader's perception of his work?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,255 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample