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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 did Geoffrey think people want to think the best about authors?

2. In his letters, what did Flaubert often write to Louise about?

3. According to Louise, what kind of lover was Flaubert?

4. Where did Geoffrey say he thought his wife's despair came from?

5. What did Geoffrey say about his relationship with Ellen?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe three life plans Flaubert dreamed of.

2. Why does Louise Colet say she didn't need Flaubert in her life?

3. On what points, if any, does Geoffrey personally criticize Flaubert?

4. Name one subject area included in the examination paper that you would consider unrelated to Flaubert's life and works. Explain your answer.

5. Why does Geoffrey think that people want to know the worst?

6. Describe Flaubert's feelings about his home in Croisset

7. What two women are compared and found to be remarkably similar?

8. Why does Geoffrey think about books that authors didn't write?

9. From Braithwaite's dictionary, give an example of conflicting accounts for one particular entry.

10. In what way was Flaubert unkind to Louise?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Geoffrey defends Flaubert throughout the book. Given what you have learned about Flaubert, on what points do you think Flaubert deserves to be defended and on what points do you feel he rightly deserves the criticism he was given?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 646 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample