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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. Which of the following animals does Flaubert not include in his letter to Bouilet?

2. Where does Geoffrey first meet Ed Winterton?

3. Who was Caroline?

4. In what setting does Geoffrey think the most famous nineteenth century fictional depiction of a seduction occurs?

5. What is Geoffrey's marital status?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Flaubert's opinion of democracy?

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

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

5. Describe Ed Winterton.

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The character of Felicite in "Un coeur simple" can be compared to Flaubert.

1) Briefly explain the plot of the story.

2) Explain what similarities that can be drawn between Felicite and Flaubert.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the book, Geoffrey searches for the answer to the mystery of which parrot is authentic as well as the answer to questions which plague him about Flaubert and about himself.

Part 1) Describe Geoffrey's actual search for Flaubert's parrot.

Part 2) Explain what mysteries Geoffrey attempts to explain about Flaubert's life.

Part 3) Explain what questions about himself Geoffrey attempts to answer in his quest.

Essay Topic 3

Geoffrey reveals Ellen's story in full by the end of the book

1) Discuss their relationship, particularly touching on Geoffrey's attitude on Ellen's infidelity and on Ellen's treatment of Geoffrey.

2) Discuss Geoffrey's involvement on his wife's death and comment on his feelings of guilt.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 625 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample