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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. To whom does the Old Man want to marry the Girl?

2. Which character repeatedly addresses questions to a person named Jacob in Act II?

3. Which character is revealed to have paid all of the Colonel's outstanding debts?

4. The Mummy behaves like what kind of bird when Bengtsson speaks to her?

5. To what role is Bengtsson assigned during the ghost supper?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which character is depicted within the portrait in the Round Room and what is the portrait's symbolism?

2. What two favors does the Old Man ask of the Colonel in return for paying off the Colonel's debts?

3. What is the significance of the Colonel's retort to the Old Man's claim that Bengtsson "is not the man he appears to be" (25)?

4. What does the Old Man mean when he tells Bengtsson that his visit to the house is "not unexpected," though he knows it is certainly "undesired" (21)?

5. What events lead the Old Man to conclude that the "place is haunted" (21)?

6. How is the theme of authenticity linked with a particular character within Act II and for what purpose does Strindberg make this connection?

7. What do the flower bulbs within the Hyacinth Room represent?

8. When the Old Man declares everything in the Colonel's house as now belonging to him, what items does the Colonel claim can never be taken away from him?

9. In what way does the motif of dreams emerge within Act II and why does Strindberg use the motif to show a similarity between the Student and Johannson?

10. What threat does the Old Man make to the hosts of the ghost supper and how does the Mummy respond?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Strindberg's treatment of truth, lies, and hypocrisy within the text of The Ghost Sonata.

Essay Topic 2

How do the themes of control and secrecy function within The Ghost Sonata and what is Strindberg’s message regarding these themes?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Strindberg’s messages about guilt and responsibility within The Ghost Sonata.

(see the answer keys)

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