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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. Who is hosting the celebration party for Maryna?

2. How many guests have attended Maryna's celebration party?

3. What happens on the ship to draw Maryna's attention away from her introspection?

4. What is the name of the ship the immigrants eventually take to Panama?

5. What does the little boy ask for when dinner is served?

Short Essay Questions

1. Maryna explains to Henryk why they are traveling to California by ship. What are the reasons? What is the faster way to get to California from New York? How does the trip go?

2. How does Maryna relate to Henryk the family doctor in Chapter Two? What is their relationship? How does Maryna feel about him? How does she treat him?

3. Before leaving for America, Maryna and Bogdan go to say goodbye to his grandmother, the Dowanger Countess. What transpires in this meeting? How does the Dowanger Countess welcome the couple? What words of advise does she give them?

4. Once on board the ship, the narrator gives a detailed description of the steerage section of the ship. What is the steerage section, who travels steerage, and what stigma does it hold?

5. The first of the immigrants to leave, Julian and Ryszard travel together to America. What is Ryszard anticipating for the trip? What kind of man does he hope to be when he lands in America?

6. Who does Ryszard meet in the lounge of a whorehouse in New York City? What is important about the introduction Ryszard makes to the man? What do the two men talk about? What important thing does the man confirm for Ryszard?

7. How do the Saloon passengers gain entry into America? How do the steerage passengers leave the ship? How do Julian and Ryszard leave the ship, and where do they go?

8. Who does Maryna see in Bremen? What is the purpose of their meeting? How does Maryna feel at the end of the meeting?

9. On his passage to America, Ryszard spends time listening to English speaking passengers. He meets many Americans. How does he describe the American attitude about their country? How does this differ from the way Ryszard sees himself as a Pole?

10. After her performance in Chapter One, Maryna dresses and is accompanied by Bogdan to the Hotel Saski. Why are they going to the Saski? What are they celebrating? Where is the narrator?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the end, Maryna chooses her life with Bogdan over a life with Ryszard. Why does she do this? What does she recognize about herself, Bogdan and Ryszard that makes her decision a clear one for her? Does she speak of sadness or regret over the decision?

Essay Topic 2

The story is told through many voices: the narrator, letters, soliloquies, conversations. The reader sees the main characters through many eyes and ears. Why has the author chosen this style to tell the story? Does it work? Is the reader able to get a well rounded view of the main characters? How else might have the author gone about telling this story?

Essay Topic 3

While on the ship to America, the narrator describes Ryszard as actually being two people. Who are these two people inside of him, and how do they coexist to define Ryszard? Is this a universal theme, or one unique to Ryszard?

(see the answer keys)

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