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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 Dr. Emmerich recommend for Herzog?

2. Where does Herzog go first after his second divorce?

3. Who says, "Looking for happiness - ought to be prepared for bad results"?

4. Who says, "A man is born to be orphaned, and to leave orphans after him..."?

5. What does Herzog tell himself he should write instead of letters?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Herzog say to Ramona during their encounter at the Tuttles?

2. Why is Polina upset with Daisy?

3. What happens when Herzog arrives at the police station?

4. Who is Nachman?

5. Why does Herzog clean himself up at the end of the novel?

6. Describe the house in Ludeyville on Herzog's return trip.

7. What does Geraldine Portnoy's letter say?

8. What does Lucas Asphalter do for Herzog in Chapter 7?

9. Why does Herzog write a letter in his mind to Sandor Himmelstein?

10. In Chapter 6, what does Herzog do the next morning with Ramona?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Madeleine is one of the main characters of the story. While most of what the reader knows about Madeleine is through Herzog, the reader also sees Madeleine in action during the confrontation at the police station. Herzog believes that Madeleine is paranoid and mentally unstable. Why does he think this? Is Madeleine really unstable or does Herzog conveniently see her that way? What events support or contradict Herzog's views of Madeleine's personality and character? Use specific examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

The desire for change is one of the themes in Saul Bellow's novel. Herzog's letters show a desire for change both in society and in himself. Compare Herzog in the beginning, the middle or climax, and the end of the novel. How does Herzog change throughout the story? How does society change around him? Do Herzog and society change at all or do they remain the same? Use specific examples from the text in the response.

Essay Topic 3

Herzog has relationships with several women, and all of them are different. Choose three of the women (Sono, Ramona, Daisy, Madeleine) Herzog has an affair/relationship with. Describe each relationship and its affect on Herzog's character. How do these relationships impact the story? Use specific examples from the text.

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