View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What Polish province was “a hub for seasonal harvest labor transported across northern Europe” prior to World War II, according to the narrator in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 2?

2. Of the visitor, the narrator says in the conclusion of Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 2, “The oppression seeping from these walls, he thinks, can only be deepened by his own misgivings as to” what?

3. Dr. Stern describes the retreatants at the concentration camp as having come from how many countries in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 3?

4. What is the last name of the retreat attendee that is described in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 3 as “a makeshift Tibetan Buddhist from New Jersey”?

5. What does the traveler attempt to give to Wanda before the couple departs, leaving him at the concentration camp, in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. How would you describe the narrative style established in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 1?

2. How was the birth of Clements Olinski discovered by the Olinskis, according to the narrator in Part II: “In the Ogre’s Cave,” Chapter 5?

3. What about Commandant Rudolf Höss fascinates Olin, according to the narrator in Part II: “In the Ogre’s Cave,” Chapter 5?

4. Who are the locals that the traveler meets at the café in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 1? Where do they take him?

5. Where does Dr. Stern say most of the retreat attendees have come from in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 3?

6. How do Mirek and Wanda respond when Olin points out the historical facts of the area in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 2?

7. How is the setting of Kasmierz described in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 1?

8. What is taking place when Mr. Earwig initiates a conflict in Part II: “In the Ogre’s Cave,” Chapter 4?

9. Who greets Olin once he arrives at his destination in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 2?

10. What setting at the concentration camp is described in the opening of Part II: “In the Ogre’s Cave,” Chapter 5?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the character of Dr. Anders Stern in the novel. Where is Dr. Stern from? How is his appearance described? What can you discern of Dr. Stern’s demeanor based on his actions in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Plot Structure

a. Discuss the plot structure of In Paradise. In what ways is the narrative related and what effect does this have on the reader?

b. How does In Paradise compare with other novels written during this time period? Are there specific stylistic elements that can be seen in Matthiessen’s writing?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the character of Professor Adina Schreier in the novel. Where is Dr. Schreier from? What is her objective in attending the retreat? How does Dr. Schreier relate to Dr. Clements Olin?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 990 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample