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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 word does Henderson think maybe full of bluff?

2. What do the villagers kick and mock?

3. What kind of fruit do the women feed Henderson?

4. What kind of school does Henderson want to enroll in when he gets home?

5. What does Romilayu jam in the door hinge?

Short Essay Questions

1. What pact do Henderson and Dahfu make?

2. How does Henderson defend his sessions with Dahu and Atti?

3. How does Henderson feel as he is running through the town in Chapter Fourteen?

4. How does Romilayu save Henderson from evil?

5. Why will Henderson not turn back in Chapter Sixteen?

6. How does Henderson escape?

7. What is Dahfu's conviction about people?

8. What are Dahfu's dying words to Henderson?

9. What bet do Henderson and Dahfu make?

10. Why does Dahfur claim he needs a lion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the following statement: "In order to cope and understand death, people need to have an understanding of their spiritual nature." Argue for or against the statement using examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Examine the novel's dialogue. How does Bellow's dialogue contribute to the following areas:

1) Character

2) Setting

3) Plot

Essay Topic 3

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Bellow use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Away from the main character, Henderson, examine the way Bellow uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 745 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample