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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. In his examination paper on literary criticism, what does Flaubert say about his sister's death?

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

3. According to Louise, what would Flaubert have made her into if he had his way?

4. What did Flaubert confess to Louise?

5. How many children did Geoffrey and Ellen have?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way was Flaubert unkind to Louise?

2. Who are two of Flaubert's relatives who are given an entry in Braithwaite's dictionary?

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

4. Why did Flaubert hate railroads?

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

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

7. What was odd about the stage direction given in the Theatrical History section?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

Flaubert's family influenced his life in many ways. Discuss Flaubert's relationship with his mother, his father, and his sister. Include details about the secret he kept from his mother, his father's contributions to his career, and his sister's death.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 587 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample