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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 do the members of the Sect of the Phoenix have in common?

2. Why does Erik Lonnrot believe the third man in "Death and the Compass" was murdered?

3. Who is allowed to be a part of the Sect of the Phoenix?

4. In "Death and the Compass," why do the police believe the rabbi was murdered?

5. How does Ireneo Funes die?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does language frustrate Ireneo Funes?

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

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

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

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

6. What does Jaromir Hladik regret?

7. Why does Ireneo Funes suffer from insomnia?

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

9. What unique abilities does Ireneo Funes possess?

10. What theory does Erik Lonnrot have about the murders in "Death and the Compass"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Borges' use of infinity. How does he use verbal imagery to describe the concept of infinity? What relationship does Borges' create between the infinite universe and the finite human mind? How does he use infinite images and descriptions to express his themes?

Essay Topic 2

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 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 1,253 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample