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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. At the best, the audience sets the artist down as what?
(a) A thief.
(b) Anorexic.
(c) A fraud.
(d) Modest.

2. What is a necessary accompaniment to the profession of fasting?
(a) Suspicion.
(b) Rudeness.
(c) Hunger.
(d) Anger.

3. What does the artist hold outside the bars from time to time?
(a) His head.
(b) His legs.
(c) His arm.
(d) A stick.

4. What does the impresario secretly do to the hunger artist as he lifts him?
(a) Stab him.
(b) Kick him.
(c) Shakes him.
(d) Bite him.

5. How are the results of the fast announced?
(a) By megaphone.
(b) By radio.
(c) By television.
(d) By microphone.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is bound to be the sole, completely satisfied spectator of the artist's fast?

2. How does the artist feel about the bright light used by some watchers?

3. On fine days, where is the cage set?

4. "There were people who argued that this breakfast was an unfair attempt" to do what?

5. Why do many people regretfully have to keep away from his exhibitions?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is the artist's cage placed in the circus? What is the description of it?

2. Who discovers the artist in his cage in the end of the story? What does the hunger artist say?

3. What could be said in terms of the artist as a martyr? What differing definitions are there of this term and how do they apply?

4. Describe briefly which of the three allegorical interpretations discussed in class with which you most agree.

5. What is the major contrast between the circus and the artist's previous days working solo?

6. What is the artist's point of view regarding the impresario's excuses? What is his view of the audience reaction?

7. What are the religious allusions?

8. What has happened to the interest in fasting at the beginning of the story? How has this affected the artist?

9. How does the circus diminish the artist's form?

10. Who are the "permanent watchers" and what do they do?

(see the answer keys)

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