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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. According to Du Camp, how should the name Bovary be pronounced?

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

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

4. What did Louise do after Flaubert broke off their affair?

5. Which of the following are not used to describe Flaubert in Braithwaite's Dictionary?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Geoffrey say about the death of writers?

2. Why was Flaubert secretive about his meetings with Louise Colet?

3. Why did Flaubert hate railroads?

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

5. Who are three authors who are given entries in Braithwaite's dictionary?

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

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

8. What does Geoffrey notice about the signs on the train from Rouen?

9. Why does Geoffrey maintain that he killed his wife?

10. What did Geoffrey say about Ellen's lies?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Minor characters contribute color to "Flaubert's Parrot." Choose any three from the following list of characters and describe what relationship each had with Flaubert and how their inclusion benefits the book as a whole: Maxime Du Camp, Elisa Schlesinger, Gertrude Collier, Kuchuk Hanem, Lucien Andrieu, Enid Starkie.

Essay Topic 2

"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 3

At one point, Geoffrey examines Flaubert's life from the viewpoint of the road not taken.

1) Describe some of the plans Flaubert had for his life and for books that didn't get written.

2) Explain how the idea of life plans not taken also intrigue Geoffrey for personal reasons.

(see the answer keys)

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