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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 the vignette entitled "Flights," the narrator states that "everything is" (227) what in hell?

2. The narrator refers to the inevitable entrapment of people who have not mastered the art of taking what action?

3. The narrator proclaims that "seeing means" (182) what?

4. The narrator sees herself as "the perfect" (179) what?

5. Annushka leaves the location to which she has fled because of a statue of which figure?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the theme of ethnocentrism depicted within the vignettes focusing on James Cook?

2. Discuss the unnamed narrator's feelings about languages and secrecy.

3. What object does Tokarczuk use in a metaphor characterizing the nocturnal brain and why?

4. How does Tokarczuk present the theme of being present within the vignette entitled “Irkutsk-Moscow”?

5. In what way does Tokarczuk use dialogue in order to highlight a lack of sensitivity in tourists?

6. In what way does the theme of compassion arise within Annushka's story?

7. How is the theme of oppression featured within the vignettes about James Cook?

8. What had the woman in rags been mumbling to Annushka when Annushka became frightened?

9. How does the theme of obsession arise within the story about Verheyen?

10. How do Existentialist ideals creep into Verheyen's later writings?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within Tokarczuk’s novel Flights. Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Write a critical essay about Flights while using the critical power theory lens of Marxist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of issues such as socioeconomic status, hierarchies, wealth, class, or any other issues related to Marxist theory that can be found in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Explicate the theme of appearance versus reality within Flights. What is Tokarczuk’s message regarding appearances versus the nature of reality and how do you know?

(see the answer keys)

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