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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 the stonecutter wearing in the Cemetery of Christ?

2. What does the narrator make a habit of eating to stave off hunger?

3. What does the narrator order at the cafe in Stor Street?

4. What does the narrator decide to sell to his friend in addition to barber's coupons?

5. Where is the narrator staying at the beginning of Part Two?

Short Essay Questions

1. What story does the narrator tell the old man?

2. How has the narrator's poverty already been revealed to the reader?

3. Why does the narrator stop to read the late editions of the newspapers, and for what does he apply?

4. Why does the narrator become annoyed with the old man?

5. Why is the narrator interested in the newspaper-wrapped package of the old man?

6. Why does the narrator decide to return to his old apartment?

7. How does the narrator punish himself for nearly asking the editor for money?

8. How is the narrator feeling when he leaves the apartment?

9. Why do the two shopkeepers refuse the narrator money?

10. How do the hayracks treat the narrator?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hunger is translated from Norwegian to English. How much meaning can a book lose through a translation? What aspects of the book do you think would be the most difficult to express in English? How do you think a translator can overcome these difficulties?

Essay Topic 2

How does the narrator's pride doom him to failure? What does his working on a ship at the end of the novel show about his pride? What devices does Knut Hamsun use to explore the narrator's pride?

Essay Topic 3

How does the book reflect the naturalist style of 19th century literature? Was Knut Hamsun influenced by any 19th century authors or philosophers?

(see the answer keys)

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