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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 did Ed originally intend to do with the letters?

2. Who actually carried out the trick that resulted in Flaubert's find at the top of the Great Pyramid?

3. Who is Humbert?

4. What particular criticism does Starkie have of Flaubert's characterization of Madame Bovary?

5. What mistake did the professor from Cambridge point out in a Tennyson work?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Geoffrey find on the subject of Madame Bovary's eyes when he rereads the book?

2. What was included in the dictionary Flaubert wrote?

3. Why is Geoffrey so anxious to meet with Ed a second time?

4. Whose deaths greatly affected Flaubert's life?

5. What are several different parrots mentioned in the bestiary?

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 places does Geoffrey go to learn more about Gustave Flaubert?

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

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

10. What are some connections between Flaubert and Gertrude Collier?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"History is always incomplete" is a theme that surfaces repeatedly throughout the novel. Discuss this theme as it applies 1) to Geoffrey's inability to completely know everything he would like to know about Flaubert, and 2) to Geoffrey's inability to know everything about his wife.

Essay Topic 2

Explain and provide details about Geoffrey's irritation with Ed Winterton, both because of Winterton's personality and because of the destruction he committed. In addition, comment on whether or not you feel Geoffrey's irritation was warranted.

Essay Topic 3

Julian Barnes uses a variety of styles and innovations in "Flaubert's Parrots." Discuss several of these, including but not limited to, the dictionary and the examination paper. Explain the effectiveness of each and comment on their limitations.

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