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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. How much was the grant Herzog received?

2. What does Herzog do for a living?

3. What does Herzog tell Ramona in his mind in Chapter 3?

4. What, according to Herzog, is a "howling emptiness"?

5. Where do Herzog and Uncle Herman go?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Herzog go shopping for clothes?

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

3. Why does Herzog leave the academic life?

4. How does Herzog feel towards Madeleine in Chapter 5?

5. Who is George Hoberly?

6. Why does Herzog go to see Aunt Zelda?

7. Who is Ramona?

8. Who is Nachman?

9. Who is Madeleine?

10. What does Will want Herzog to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the major themes in Herzog is the idea of reality versus the ideal. How do events in the novel perpetuate this theme? How do the main characters, particularly Herzog, embody the idea of someone searching for reality against the ideal? Highlight at least three instances in which this theme is evident in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Herzog's relationships with women differ. At some points he is a dedicated husband, while at others he has affairs with different women. Is Herzog merely a playboy or is he truly looking for love that he cannot find? Choose a side and cite at least three examples from the text to support the response. Be sure to thoroughly explain how each event/instance supports the thesis.

Essay Topic 3

The story uses three different points of view: Herzog as a first person narrator, the epistolary view (Herzog's letters), and the third person, in which the reader is allowed to know what Herzog is thinking. How do these three points of view help or hurt the story? How do the various viewpoints provide information to the reader? Explore how each point of view impacts the novel. Use specific examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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