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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 does Casaubon choose to enter seemingly meaningless information into Abulafia?

2. What does the computer's output suggest about the crucifixion of Christ?

3. Where is Belbo's boyhood home?

4. What were the relations between Napoleon and the Jesuits and Jews?

5. What does Casaubon want Belbo to use Abulafia for?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Casaubon's theory about the Jesuits, who were the Rosicrucians and the Scottish Rite Freemasons?

2. What conclusion does Belbo reach, regarding Francis Bacon, in the Plan?

3. What are Casaubon's speculations about Mr. Postel, in Chapter 88?

4. What do Salon and Casaubon talk about when Casaubon visits Salon in his shop?

5. What happens during the trip Belbo takes with Lorenza?

6. What does Aglie tell Casaubon's group about the Freemasons?

7. What happens in the story Belbo creates from Abulafia's printouts?

8. What experiment does Casaubon want to conduct with Abulafia?

9. What do Casaubon and Lia talk about while on their family vacation?

10. What is the final piece of information for the Plan, supplied by Salon?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Casaubon misses out on a lot of time with his wife and child as a result of his occult studies, despite the fact that his wife constantly tries to bring him back to them. Why does he prefer the Plan and other students of the occult to his own family? What is he seeking, that is so important? What sacrifices does he make, during his search for truth, and how do his sacrifices affect his family? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the epistemological problem of truth. What is truth? Is it objective or subjective, and why? How does one know the truth when it is found? Why do Casaubon, Diotallevi and Belbo search so long for the truth? What is man's preoccupation with it? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Many different views are expressed in the novel regarding occult knowledge; for example, Bramanti wants to disseminate occult knowledge because of the power inherent in it, whereas Garamond cares only for the profit that can be gained from selling it. Discuss the different views of occult knowledge and mysticism presented in the novel, and reasons for each of those views. Which one do you agree with most, and why? Which one do you think the author would agree with, and why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

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