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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 is the name of the ship the immigrants eventually take to Panama?

2. Who is the man described as sitting on a couch writing in a notebook?

3. What promise does Maryna make the Dowanger Countess the first time they meet?

4. Who is Maryna portraying at the end of her performance before the celebration dinner party?

5. Where do Maryna, Aniela, and Piotr go on an excursion from New York?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. While he is in the steerage section of the ship, Ryszard is brought by a deckhand to meet a bedraggled man. This man offers his niece, Nora, to Ryszard. What kinds of emotions does Ryszard have while below the ship in steerage? How does this experience change him?

3. In Chapter Four, Maryna explains that in some places, the oldest is best. However, in America she says "biggest is best." What does she mean by this? What does she see that supports her observation? Is she displeased by this?

4. While Maryna and her husband are busy selling their house and preparing to leave for America, a member of Maryna's family dies. Who is this person, and why is the death so upsetting for Maryna? Who else is present at the death? Where does Maryna go after the death?

5. In Chapter Zero, the narrator gives us a picture of Maryna by quoting her saying "we must always ask more of ourselves." What conclusions does the narrator draw from this statement and Maryna's behavior at the party?

6. According to her monologue at the end of Chapter One, why is Maryna ready to leave acting and try something new?

7. Maryna prepares for her departure from the stage. What engagements does she cancel, and what do the critics say about this? Why has she chosen Zakopane, and who has she asked to accompany her there?

8. Why does Maryna go to Henryk's office in Chapter One? What do we learn about her brother Stefan? What do we learn about Maryna?

9. Who comes into Maryna's dressing room before the performance at the theatre in Krakow? What happens? How does Maryna react to the visitor's behavior?

10. The narrator explains that she is not particularly intelligent. What else does she say about herself?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why has the author chosen to tell about the demise of the commune through Bogdan's journal? How does he give an adequate account of what happened?

Essay Topic 2

Edwin Booth's monologue finishes the novel. He has not been a character in the book, nor does he know any of the characters in the novel except Maryna. Why has the author chosen to end the book on this note? Is there a climax to the novel, and if so, where did it take place?

Essay Topic 3

Chapter One reveals a great deal about Maryna and the people who surround her. In this chapter, we get a clearer picture of the people Maryna surrounds herself with and how she thinks of those people. Why does Maryna want people to uproot themselves and their families and leave Krakow? How does she see the people who surround her? Why does she feel certain these people will follow her?

(see the answer keys)

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