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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. How many villages are decimated as the Nazis leave?

2. What does Jakob witness as he is hiding?

3. What does Athos do for relaxation?

4. Of what does Jakob live in constant fear?

5. To whom does Jakob write letters?

Short Essay Questions

1. What often causes Athos to become depressed or angry?

2. What thoughts does Jakob have about the Catalan Atlas and history?

3. What does Athos do and say before he and Jakob leave for Canada?

4. What did Jakob Beer witness as he hid in the bog?

5. How does the relationship between Alex and Jakob evolve?

6. What does Jakob do after he witnesses the invasion of his home?

7. How does Jakob meet Alex?

8. Who is Athos and what does he pass on to Jakob?

9. What is Biskupin and what happens to it?

10. What is the Beskupin site?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Athos and Jakob. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Ben and Jakob. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Compare/contrast the characters of Michaela and Naomi. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

4. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in Fugitive Pieces help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Fugitive Pieces". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Michaels chooses the symbols she does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Michaels chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Michaels's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Michaels use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 3

Jakob emphasizes that he does not see the horrors that visit European Jewry during World War II while he is living in Greece. He endures hardships on Zakynthos and lives in constant fear of the door being bashed in, as had happened in his home in Poland. All of Zakynthos's Jews are saved from the Nazis through the courage of the Christian mayor and archbishop. By comparison, most of the Jews on nearby Corfu perish by drowning or in concentration camps.

1. Discuss what affect the constant fear with which Jakob lives would have on a young boy. Use examples from your own life and "Fugitive Pieces" to support your answer.

2. Discuss reasons you think some people like the mayor and Bishop tried to help the Jewish people and others did not. Use examples from your own life and "Fugitive Pieces" to support your answer.

3. Discuss, in depth, the concept of courage as it relates to the mayor and the archbishop. Use examples from your own life and "Fugitive Pieces" to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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