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. The excommunicated monk Stefan’s priory is in the region of what notorious death camp north of Warsaw, according to the narrator in Part II: “In the Ogre’s Cave,” Chapter 7?

2. In the conclusion of Part IV: “In Paradise,” Chapter 16, the narrator describes Olin, saying, “In the wavering of candles he sits motionless, broken-brained and” what?

3. How old does the narrator say Tadeusz Borowski was in 1948 when his death camp narrative made him famous, in Part III: “Dancing at Auschwitz,” Chapter 13?

4. What is the name of Eva’s friend who is described as a self-taught painter and who survived at Auschwitz for four years?

5. What word from the novel refers to the religious official of a synagogue who conducts the liturgical portion of a service and sings or chants the prayers?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is significant about the tattoo that Malan shows Olin in Part III: “Dancing at Auschwitz,” Chapter 13?

2. What reason does Olin give for his family’s failure to search for his mother when he “bears witness” in Part III: “Dancing at Auschwitz,” Chapter 14?

3. Where does Olin go on the morning of the departure in Part IV: “In Paradise,” Chapter 15? What does he do here?

4. What does Olin learn about Father Mikal in Cracow in Part IV: “In Paradise,” Chapter 16?

5. What inner conflicts does Olin reveal in Part II: “In the Ogre’s Cave,” Chapter 9?

6. How is the character of Stanislav K. described in Part II: “In the Ogre’s Cave,” Chapter 8?

7. What story does Rainer reveal of his family in Part II: “In the Ogre’s Cave,” Chapter 7?

8. What realities about his grandparents does Olin come to terms with in Part II: “In the Ogre’s Cave,” Chapter 6?

9. What does Olin consider the phenomenon of the dancing to be in Part III: “Dancing at Auschwitz,” Chapter 11?

10. How does the narrator describe the mood of the attendees in the beginning of Part III: “Dancing at Auschwitz,” Chapter 11?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the character of Rainer in the novel. What is the significance of Rainer’s story about his uncle? How does Rainer perceive the history of the Germans? How does Rainer differ in his perceptions of history and culpability from the other characters at the retreat?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Describe the structural components of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. Where in the camp are Clements and the other retreat attendees sleeping, eating, and meditating? Where do they go to pray and meditate daily?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 914 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample