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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. With what type of person is Solness prone to having relationships?

2. What month of the year is it upon Hedda and Jorgen's return?

3. What does Aunt Julle hope will fill her time in the future?

4. How does Mr. Brack attempt to blackmail Hedda?

5. Where does Tesman request for Mrs. Elvsted to take up residence?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Hedda refrain from visiting Aunt Rina?

2. Why has Hilde sought Solness out?

3. What does Ragnar ask of Solness, since his father is close to death?

4. How does Hedda convince Lovborg to go to the party?

5. What is Ragnar's ambition?

6. Why is Ejlert unable to return Mrs. Elvsted's love sufficiently?

7. Why does Hedda tell Tesman she burned the manuscript?

8. Why does Hedda burn the manuscript?

9. Why is Solness afraid of youth?

10. What are Hedda's feelings about Tesman's aunts?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In all the plays in the collection, there is a common theme: the inability to escape one's past. How does this theme play out in each of the four works? Which characters are the most affected by their denials of their pasts? What are the ultimate consequences in each of the works?

Essay Topic 2

Examine Solness' death in THE MASTER BUILDER. Is his death the will of God? The foolish accident of a young man trying to impress a girl? Does he commit suicide, unable to atone for or reconcile with his many selfish, cruel choices? What role does Hilde play in Solness' death? What role does Aline play in Solness' death?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Solness as a true tragic hero. What is his essential flaw? How is he vulnerable? How is he manipulated by other characters in the play? Can he be blamed for his fate, or is he simply the victim of destiny? Does he bear any similarity to Lovborg in Hedda Gabler? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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