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

2. Why is Senor Biferno angry with Renata?

3. What does Charlie promise to do for Waldemar even if the papers contain nothing valuable?

4. How does Renata feel about going with Charlie to see Waldemar in the nursing home?

5. How does Humboldt address Charlie in his posthumous letter?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Maggie plead Charlie's case to Stronson and get the charges dropped?

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

5. What is the relationship between Huggins and Charlie?

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

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

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

9. How does Charlie explain his relationship with Roger to people abroad?

10. Why does Charlie feel compelled to continue the work of the dead?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider Humboldt's Treatment that he left to Charlie.

1) What, if anything, might Charlie learn about himself from this story?

2) Why would Charlie think Humboldt wrote this story for him? Is it about the money?

Essay Topic 2

Consider Demmie's character. In Section 4, she is portrayed as both the "farmer's daughter" and a young lady of breeding. How is Demmie expressed to Charlie through her sleep patterns? How many layers are there to Demmie, especially as she sleeps?

Essay Topic 3

A tenant at the Madrid pension, Rebecca, makes advances towards Charlie. What prevents Charlie from going along with her? How would she compare to the other women who have been in his life?

(see the answer keys)

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