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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. What does Jacob see boys doing to produce squawks?

2. What does Athos do for relaxation?

3. On what stories does Alex's father raise her?

4. What does Jakob wonder if remembering does?

5. What reminds Jakob of his mother and Bella?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Athos relate natural phenomenon to railroads and the Holocaust?

2. What incident does Ioannis relate, and of what does it remind Jakob?

3. What does Kostas say about Palamas and Sikelianos?

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

5. Why do Athos and Jakob go to Athens and in what condition is Greece?

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

7. Why do Athos and Jakob identify with explorers of Antarctica?

8. How does Athos cause Jakob to understand the power of poetry?

9. What is the Beskupin site?

10. What is Biskupin and what happens to it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Anne Michaels.

2. What in Michaels' background may have helped her in writing "Fugitive Pieces"? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Fugitive Pieces".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of the book. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Fugitive Pieces". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

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).

(see the answer keys)

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