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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. In 1908, Berlin: A Cabaret, Halina sings what song?

2. How does the troupe respond as Lemml speaks in poor German?

3. How has Sholem been affected by the pogroms in Europe?

4. O’Neill believes that the court will claim that the problem with the show is what?

5. What does Madje wish Sholem had never done?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Virginia say that shocks Dorothee?

2. Why does Schildkraut fire Reina?

3. How does Freida respond when Lemml calls Asch a genius? What is Lemml's response to her?

4. In Sholem Asch Shows Lemml America, what does the troupe do, as an ensemble?

5. What is Rabbi Silverman's response regarding plays like The God of Vengeance?

6. What upsets Reina the most about being fired?

7. Why is Sholem seen by a doctor?

8. In 1923: Opening Night on Broadway, Intermission, why are the Aschs shocked?

9. What takes place in the play within the play in Beginning of Act Three?

10. How do both Madje and Sholem feel about his trip abroad to learn more about the pogroms?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Life in Europe takes a turn for the worse for the troupe and other Jews towards the end of the play. How is this foreshadowed? How does the playwright remind and/or educate the viewer on the atrocities of the Holocaust? Is this effective? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

When Lemml arrives in Staten Island, he refuses to cross the Asch home shvel, or threshold. Why? How is a threshold important in other parts of the play? Why might the playwright choose to give such importance to a home’s threshold?

Essay Topic 3

The play begins with the troupe rising from the ground, pouring sawdust from their clothes. What is this meant to represent? What tone does this set for the play ahead? What does this foreshadow? Is this an effective way to prepare the audience for future events? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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