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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. Where does the cab take Herzog?

2. Who says, "...if existence is nausea then faith is an uncertain relief"?

3. What does Herzog question in the letter to himself?

4. What could throw Madeleine into a rage?

5. How much does Madeleine spend at Marshall Field's that shocks Herzog?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Herzog call Simkin?

2. What does Herzog do on his outings with Marco?

3. What happens when Herzog and June leave the aquarium?

4. What does Herzog write to Marco?

5. Why does Ramona call Herzog at the beginning of Chapter 5?

6. Why does Herzog no longer entirely trust Aunt Zelda?

7. Who would be hit the worst by the court case?

8. Why does Herzog travel at the beginning of Chapter 9?

9. Why does Herzog leave the academic life?

10. Why is Herzog upset at the city courthouse?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A major theme in the novel is sanity or the lack thereof. How are sanity and insanity/mental instability portrayed in the novel? What does each represent? What characters fit into each category? How do the characters on the insanity side try to move towards sanity? Use specific examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

The beginning and ending scenes/chapters of the novel mirror each other. Compare and contrast the opening chapter of Herzog with the last chapter. How is this technique relevant to the story? Why has the author decided to take this approach?

Essay Topic 3

Herzog is father to two children - Marco and June. Describe his paternal relationship with each of his children. How is Herzog's father role similar or different to the role his father played in Herzog's life? Use specific examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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