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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. Of what do Maryna and Henryk speak the day after her performance?
2. What do the Countess, Bogdan, and Maryna drink on their farewell visit?
3. Who is Maryna portraying at the end of her performance before the celebration dinner party?
4. What book does Julian bring with to read aboard the ship?
5. What is the first play Maryna sees as a child?
Short Essay Questions
1. 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?
2. What are some of the toasts given at the celebration dinner table? To whom are they directed? What is Bogdan's toast about? Maryna's?
3. 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?
4. 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?
5. The narrator explains that she is not particularly intelligent. What else does she say about herself?
6. According to her monologue at the end of Chapter One, why is Maryna ready to leave acting and try something new?
7. 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?
8. While hiding at the celebration party, the narrator pieces together the people in the room and the subject of their discussions. What does she gather about the people in the room and the plan underway?
9. Maryna relates the story of her childhood to various people in Chapter One. Discuss her childhood and the influences on her life.
10. While finishing his article on the transatlantic journey, Ryszard goes to Caste Clinton to see how the steerage passengers are experiencing their introduction to their new home. What does he see there? Why is this important?
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
As they are readying to go to California to look for a new home for themselves and their friends, Ryszard says to Julian "America has its America, its better destination where everyone dreams of going." Discuss this theme in two contexts: America as it is seen by foreign immigrants, and America as it is seen by Americans.
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This section contains 1,327 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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