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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 philosopher does Horacio cite in his ruminations of Chapter 3?

2. How does Berthe Trepat respond to Horacio's offer of a hotel at the end of Chapter 23?

3. According to Horacio in Chapter 2, who destroyed his philosophical quest?

4. Where are Horacio and La Maga making love at the beginning of Chapter 5?

5. Approximately how old is Horacio Oliveira?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does La Maga feel responsible for Pola's death in Chapter 27?

2. What event is taking place in this section?

3. How is the reader introduced to Manolo Traveler in Chapter 143?

4. How does Horacio meet Berthe Trepat?

5. What is the Club's Principle problem with the theories of Morelli, as stated in Chapter 141?

6. Why does Ossip apologize to Maga in Chapter 24?

7. Describe Ossip Gregorovius.

8. How do Maga and Horacio view the meaning of their precarious dates differently in Chapter 6?

9. What awful event does Maga describe in Chapter 15?

10. What news do Babs and Ronald bring to Maga's apartment in Chapter 28?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel of HOPSCOTCH is in many respects a hodgepodge or a mixed media piece. Write an essay exploring the different types of writing that coalesce to tell the narrative. How many different points-of-view are used to tell the story? How many languages? What is the purpose of the constant quotes, lyrics, and newspaper articles? Give several examples of unorthodox structures used to write individual chapters. How do all these different aspects combine to tell a unified story?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss in an essay the virtue of empathy as it relates to Horacio. As a protagonist, does Horacio seem to have empathy for anyone? Is he essentially a selfish human being? Cite examples from his time in Paris to justify your answers to the above prompts. Discuss his evening with Berthe Trepat as a fierce determination to show empathy to another person. Why does he do this and how does it fail? In his final moment in the novel, does Horacio make a decision based on empathy for those he loves or selfishness?

Essay Topic 3

Much of the conflict in Cortazar's novel centers around Horacio's relationships with various women. These relationships are tinted with contention, passion, and eventual tragedy. Write an essay about three such involvements:

Part 1) How is Horacio's involvement with La Maga the central relationship of the novel? What does La Maga represent that is so at odd with Horacio's worldview, and how does this conflict manifest itself? Discuss the tragedy that occurs in Book 1 that drives the two apart irrevocably.

Part 2) What is the nature of Horacio's affair with Pola? What aspects of her personality and background make her a compelling alternative to La Maga? Write an essay about their brief affair and the tragedy that ends it.

Part 3) Why does Horacio kiss Talita at the end of the novel? Has there been any indication that he is attracted to her heretofore? Write an essay about Horacio's relationship with Talita and how it reflects a slow and subtle disassociation with reality. What is the fallout of the kiss?

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