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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. In what language was Hunger originally written?

2. What is the character Kierulf supposed to trade?

3. With what does the narrator insist the cart of potatoes is filled?

4. How does the narrator see Ylayali when she reaches her hand out to him as he leaves?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What convinces the narrator that he is sane?

3. Who lives in the family room?

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

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

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

7. What happens to the narrator that makes him aware of his mental sluggishness?

8. Why is the captain of the Copégoro reluctant to hire the narrator, and what is his compromise?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the statement at the beginning of the novel, "This wonderous city that no one leaves before it has made its marks upon him." How does the author develop the ambiguity in this sentence? How do the other characters in the book seem to be living?

Essay Topic 2

Fantasy plays a large role in this novel. Discuss the narrator and Ylayali's fantasies of one another. How do they differ from reality? How do you think they affect the character's actions?

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?

(see the answer keys)

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