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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 David struggle with as he debates about going back to the woman in town?

2. Why does David think Angelo is stupid?

3. Why does David pick up the newspaper the food is wrapped in?

4. Why did Johannes not want people in camp to tell David things of the outside world?

5. What does David see on the third evening that he wants to care for?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how David comes to own a mirror, and his reaction to his own reflection.

2. Explain what the man on the ship and the woman in the shop mean when they discuss David's eyes.

3. Explain why David plunges through the thicket instead of going around it.

4. Why does David decide, as he runs during his escape, to stop running and instead to walk?

5. What happens to David's clothes, and what is the result of this? How does he feel?

6. Describe David's reaction to his bedroom, when he awakens the first time.

7. Explain David's reaction to the baby.

8. Explain why David thinks Angelo is stupid.

9. Explain why David knows so little of himself, including where he is from, and what he looks like.

10. Explain how David comes to the home of Giovanni.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the novel, the word King symbolizes freedom and free will to David, as he knows that countries that have kings are not under the control of "them". Later in the novel, when he is in his darkest hour, he is befriended by a dog, who he names "King". Describe how the dog's final actions in the novel affirm the concept that the word "king" symbolizes both free will and freedom.

Essay Topic 2

In the novel, "the man" comes to symbolize all things evil and cruel in the world. By the end of the novel, however, it is revealed that "the man" is likely the reason David is alive. Analyze this character in depth. Who is he? How did he treat David? Why did he treat him as he did? What is revealed about him toward the end of the novel? How did he actually help David? Why did he help David? What does this say about David's concept of what is bad?

Essay Topic 3

There are two strong female characters in the novel, Sophie and the mother of the children, Giovanni's wife. Compare and contrast these two women. How are they similar? How are they different? How do their backgrounds and lifestyles change the way the treat David? Whereas the mother originally sends David away, Sophie asks him to stay. What does this difference indicate about these two characters?

(see the answer keys)

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