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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 George Swiebel let Charlie know about while Charlie is in the pension?

2. Who does Renata have with her when she arrives in Madrid?

3. What project does Julius offer Charlie to get in on the ground floor with him?

4. What happens to Roger while in Madrid?

5. Who has Humboldt based his "Treatment" on?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. When Charlie offers to put up the ransom for the return of Pierre, how does he expect to be repaid?

4. Why does Charlie begin to cry while watching the film in Paris with Rinaldo?

5. What thoughts does Charlie have during the intermission of a Christmas Pageant he is attending with his children?

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

7. What is Humboldt's Uncle Waldemar afraid that Charlie might do when he is given the envelope?

8. What does Renata think will happen to Charlie if he goes to Texas to see Julius?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Renata makes it clear to Charlie that he thinks too much about death. In what ways does Charlie feel Renata also has a deep connection with death?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

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