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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. Which of the following is one of Lily's good traits?

2. What is the name of the priest?

3. What is the name of the King's uncle?

4. What does Dahfu say that Henderson is crying out for?

5. what does Henderson try to remember as he runs with the crowd?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why must Henderson try and lift the idol?

2. What is Henderson's bad feeling in Chapter Twenty?

3. What do Henderson and Dahfu think about each other?

4. How does Henderson escape?

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

6. What does Henderson remember about the argument with his father at Dick's funeral?

7. Why does Dahfur claim he needs a lion?

8. How does Henderson imitate the lion's behavior?

9. Describe how Henderson gets home?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pick a character from the novel and discuss their goals and motives. Do they achieve their motives? Why? Do they share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do their goals clash with other characters? How do the characters' goals and motives affect their interaction with each other?

Essay Topic 2

Examine all the philosophical ideas that Bellow uses in the book, for example, the philosophy of existentialism. Why is the question of human nature such an important question in this book? How do the philosophies relate to the novel and its characters. In what way does Bellow use elements such as dialogue and characterization to communicate these ideas?

Essay Topic 3

The novel is set mostly in Africa.

1) What meaning does Africa bring to the novel? What would you automatically presume about a novel that is set in Africa?

2) How different do you think today's Africa is to the Africa in the novel? How do you think the novel's meaning would change if it were set in today's Africa?

3) How do you think the African settings of the novel contributes to the novel's spiritual meaning?

(see the answer keys)

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