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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. The narrator writes that "during these last _____ an interest in professional fasting has diminished."

2. What does the hunger artist always feel he is being cheated from doing?

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

4. According to the narrator, how did it used to pay very well to stage such performances?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does the artist tell his watchers regarding the ease or difficulty of his fasting? What do they respond?

3. What elements of symbolism are used in Part 2?

4. How does the artist respond when the attendant tells him they have admired his fasting? What happens after he dies?

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

6. What changes in terms of the artist's limitations in Part 2?

7. What are the distractions of being near the animals at the circus? How does this affect the artist?

8. How long is the fast and why is it this fixed time?

9. What happens at the circus regarding the record of days the artist has spent fasting?

10. What does the artist think of his repast? What does the impresario do to prove the artist's heroism?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the character of the impresario. What is his appearance? What are this character's actions and objectives in the story?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the Absurdist qualities of "A Hunger Artist." How is this story a forerunner of the Absurdist movement?

Essay Topic 3

What is the tense and voice of "A Hunger Artist"? Define these terms in your answer. Describe whose point of view the story follows and why.

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This section contains 749 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample