View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. While traveling on the train to Rouen, what does Geoffrey notice about the signs?

2. Why does Geoffrey say is about the death of writers?

3. What does Geoffrey call the devil's mark of the snorkel of sanity?

4. What did Flaubert think about train travel?

5. What tantalizes Geoffrey about Flaubert's ideas?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Geoffrey's attitude toward his wife's promiscuity?

2. In what ways did Flaubert want Louise to be like him?

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

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

5. Describe three life plans Flaubert dreamed of.

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

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

8. Why does Geoffrey say that Flaubert's fantasies were no longer needed when he was thirty-five?

9. What are three entries in Braithwaite's dictionary do you think were included only for the sake of filling that letter's spot?

10. How is Flaubert's dream described in the examination section on Psychoanalysis?

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 says that individuals always want to know the worst about the people in their lives; however, he also says that individuals always want to know the best about the authors they read.

1) Explain why Geoffrey believes this statement.

2) Give examples using his feelings towards Flaubert and his wife.

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)

This section contains 670 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample