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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 happens to the narrator after visiting the grocer's for the second time?

2. What reason does the narrator give for abandoning his chance at warm lodgings?

3. What is the Copégoro carrying to Leeds?

4. What does the landlady give to the narrator that he refuses?

5. For what does the narrator ask from the lame man at the railway pier?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrator react to seeing Ylayali with 'The Duke'?

2. Why does the narrator not eat all of his cakes?

3. What happens to make the narrator lose faith in his play?

4. Describe how the narrator leaves Ylayali's apartment.

5. Why exactly does the narrator refuse the Chief's offer of an advance?

6. Why does the narrator put himself in view of The Chief?

7. Why does the narrator still try to force himself upon Ylayali?

8. What convinces the narrator that he is sane?

9. A few days later, why is the narrator still sleeping in the family room?

10. Why does the narrator not speak to the woman in black when he first sees her outside his apartment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Towards the end of the novel, desecration becomes a central theme, both in the narrator's thoughts and in events. Discuss the symbolism used by Knut Hamsun. Is the final desecration of his pride an inevitable conclusion to the novel? What do you think are the author's opinions on this pride?

Essay Topic 2

What do you think are the main mistakes the narrator makes in the novel? Why does he keep missing opportunities for food and money? How would you react in a similar situation?

Essay Topic 3

The narrator's story is one of suffering. How does Knut Hamsun inject humor into the novel? How does the pace of the novel compare with the contents of the story? Do you think this is an effective literary device?

(see the answer keys)

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