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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 tell the clerk at Semb's is wrapped in his blanket?

2. What does the narrator intend to buy with the remaining money?

3. What does the narrator make from the blank piece of paper in his pocket?

4. What does the narrator owe Hans Pauli?

5. Where has Mr. Pettersen gone?

Short Essay Questions

1. What lie does the narrator invent to explain why he returned for the pencil?

2. How do the hayracks treat the narrator?

3. How does the narrator treat the two women?

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

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

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

7. Describe the narrator's apartment at the beginning of the novel.

8. What are the narrator's worries about the word 'kuboaa'?

9. What does the narrator find sitting on his bedside table when he returns to his old apartment?

10. What practical joke does the narrator decide to play on the passing policeman?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Aside from the main character, examine the way the author uses other characters in the book. How are they introduced and removed from the story? What impact do they have on the narrator?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author's life. In what way is his life and personality reflected in the book? What was his experience of starvation and poverty?

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