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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 does Geoffrey think that critics want to control literature?

2. What does Geoffrey do on his last day in Rouen?

3. For what reason does Geoffrey read Flaubert?

4. What mistake in "The Lord of the Flies" does the professor from Cambridge talk about?

5. Geoffrey thinks that if Flaubert had not been a bear he might have been what other animal?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Geoffrey say is the difference between internal mistakes in writing literature and external ones?

3. Why might Geoffrey be so interested in the mystery of the parrots?

4. Whose deaths greatly affected Flaubert's life?

5. Why does Geoffrey say he hates critics?

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

7. Why does Geoffrey think Flaubert might also be compared to a camel?

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

9. What was included in the dictionary Flaubert wrote?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What qualities or facts about Flaubert do you think drew Geoffrey to him in the first place? Consider Flaubert's biographical information, his relationships with women, his interest in the written words, and anything else you consider pertinent.

Essay Topic 2

Geoffrey talks about his dislike of coincidence, particularly in literature. Comment on the following:

1) What does Geoffrey consider to be the difference between coincidence and irony?

2) What examples does Geoffrey give in Flaubert's life and work which he considers to be examples of both coincidence and irony?

Essay Topic 3

"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.

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This section contains 655 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample