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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. Flaubert was born in what year?

2. If Geoffrey had his way, which of the following subjects would he not ban novel writers from using?

3. After her parrot dies, what does Felicite do?

4. What word does Geoffrey say that people are no longer allowed to use for describing lunacy?

5. What does Geoffrey say we need to respect about Flaubert even if we think him naive or unsuccessful?

Short Essay Questions

1. Flaubert compares himself to many things. Name some of them.

2. Why did Ed say he burned the correspondence between Juliet and Flaubert?

3. Explain why Flaubert refers to himself as a bear, and particularly as a white one.

4. What places does Geoffrey go to learn more about Gustave Flaubert?

5. What does Geoffrey think about omniscient authors of novels?

6. What does Geoffrey mean by this statement which he writes after the stories about the Scottish terrier, "What happened to the truth is not recorded"?

7. What is Flaubert's opinion of democracy?

8. What was the trick Flaubert planned to play at the Great Pyramid and what was the outcome?

9. What examples of literary mistakes does the professor from Cambridge talk about?

10. What does Geoffrey say about coincidences?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Women played a major role in Flaubert's life. Explain the impact of each of the following woman on Flaubert's life and/or work: Madame Flaubert, Juliet Herbert, Louise Colet, and Elisa Schlesinger.

Essay Topic 2

Geoffrey tells the reader that he understands Flaubert better than he understands his wife. Explain what you think Geoffrey means by this statement using specific examples. Comment on why or why not you think people might be able to understand historical or literary figures more fully than individuals in their own lives.

Essay Topic 3

Do you think the reader is led to believe from the beginning that Geoffrey will find the actual parrot that once sat on Flaubert's desk? Comment on why or why not and analyze the book as a mystery story, describing its twists and turns.

(see the answer keys)

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