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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. Who is Julius's wife?

2. What is Pierre's reason for not yet publishing an issue of The Ark?

3. What does Charlie tell Pierre they must do about plans to publish The Ark?

4. What is Stronson's actual job before becoming a scam artist?

5. What does Julius want Charlie to do if he should die on the operating table?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Renata's opinions about Charlie's thoughts about death?

2. How does Corcoran in the "Treatment" end up losing even though his book is a great success?

3. What are Charlie's and Julius's feelings about death?

4. What happens to Corcoran's outlook when he repeats his romantic trip with his wife?

5. How does the reader come to realize how close Humboldt must have felt towards Uncle Waldemar?

6. What is the state of Charlie's life and state of mind in Section 16 as he lives in Madrid?

7. Does Charlie have confidence in PIerre Thaxter's ability to get help for him while in jail?

8. Why does Charlie fail to say anything when Renata tells him the operator at the Plaza called her Mrs. Citrine?

9. What is Charlie hoping to receive as he has now lived at the pension with Roger for ten weeks?

10. According to Humboldt's letter to Charlie, why does Charlie figure so prominently in his obsessions?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Alone in his room in Madrid while Roger is at school, Charlie meditates. How is he coming to terms with being a middle-aged man with no woman in his life and no money?

Essay Topic 2

Charlie's brother, Julius, is about to undergo heart surgery. He is seen as being very overweight and a keen businessman.

Compare Julius to Humboldt. Also compare their relationships with Charlie.

Essay Topic 3

In one of Charlie's conversations with Dr. Scheldt, he says, "Death is the dark backing that a mirror needs if we are to see anything."

What is the meaning of this statement?

How does the comparison of death and a mirror have special meaning to Charlie?

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