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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 the narrator decide to do to the woman?

2. What does the old man say he needs money to buy?

3. What is making the narrator feel drunk?

4. What name does the narrator give to the Officer on Duty?

5. What does the narrator claim the woman is losing?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the hayracks treat the narrator?

2. Why does the narrator think of his banker friend?

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

4. Why does the narrator suspect Scissors of trying to drive him away?

5. How does the narrator react to Queeny's advice on tailors?

6. Why does Mr. Christie reject the narrator?

7. What happens when the narrator angrily rings the bell of a random third-floor apartment?

8. How does the narrator react to the organ-grinder's daughter's silence?

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

10. Why do the passers-by anger the narrator?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the portrayal of policemen in the novel. In what way does the author show a favorable attitude towards civil authority? What does this reveal about Knut Hamsun's own views?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

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?

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