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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. One day during the dreary Russian winter, Yakov loses his cool in his cell. What does he do?

2. What does Yakov use to keep track of the days in his cell?

3. What is the local anti-Semite group called?

4. What does Raisl always beg Yakov to do?

5. Where does Yakov pretend to be from when confronted by the boatman?

Short Essay Questions

1. As Yakov shivers in his cell in deepest despair, how does he view himself in relationship to the Tsar?

2. Why doesn't Yakov want the authorities to win if he should happen to die a "nameless Jew"?

3. According to what Marfa has written, what should Yakov do in order for everything to be set right?

4. During an exercise recess, Yakov is told that the other prisoners do not like him. Why not?

5. According to Yakov's attorney, why must the government find a way to prove Yakov's guilt?

6. Why does Yakov suspect that the prosecutor has included the tales of molestation in the indictment?

7. Explain Bibikov's theory regarding Zhenia's murder.

8. Even though Yakov keeps track of the days, he's not completely sure he's right. Why not?

9. When Yakov is returned to prison and then meets with the prosecutor, the prosecutor offers him a deal. Why does Yakov refuse the prosecutor's deal?

10. When Yakov reads the propaganda circulating against the Jews, why does he grow uneasy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Malamud uses this story to demonstrate how wrong it is to hate people for their religious beliefs and backgrounds. Examine the author's beliefs through his storytelling. Why would the author choose this story to overlay his demonstration of the consequences realized when acting out of hatred? What do you learn from the author's discussion on hatred? What other avenues, if any, could the author have used to express his beliefs? Would those avenues have been as effective as the story? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Several people that Yakov has been in contact with provide damaging information against him to the police during the investigation of Zhenia's murder. Compare and contrast the following characters in terms of their personalities, their "testimony", and their motivations: Proshko, Zina, and Nikolai.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characteristics, roles, loyalties, and agendas of the following people in the story: Yakov, Nikolai, Marfa, Raisl, and the prosecutor.

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This section contains 736 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample