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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. Where does the lawyer take Cincinnatus during their meeting?

2. On the eighth day, how much of Cincinnatus' pencil is used up?

3. What does Pierre say was the main evidence against him?

4. What possible consequence of Roman's sickness does the director mention?

5. What does Cincinnatus look at in the library catalog?

Short Essay Questions

1. After telling his "joke," what does Pierre say about how Cincinnatus looks?

2. What does Cincinnatus do, when the director briefly leaves the meeting between Cincinnatus and Pierre?

3. At the end of his first day in prison, what does Cincinnatus think about?

4. What ring does Cincinnatus describe wearing in his memory from his childhood?

5. What does Emmie do with the books in Cincinnatus' cell?

6. How does Emmie say goodbye to Cincinnatus?

7. What is the new prisoner doing when Cincinnatus walks past his cell after meeting Emmie in the hallway?

8. Describe Pierre's circus performance.

9. What does Cincinnatus hope to get out of seeing Marthe?

10. How do the lawyer, the prison director, and Rodion characterize Cincinnatus' behavior?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the hope of escape in the novel.

1) How does Cincinnatus interpret the drawings that he finds in the library catalog? How does he interpret the scratching sounds he hears in the wall?

2) Does hope of escape play a role in keeping Cincinnatus in prison? What would be necessary, in order for Cincinnatus to escape?

3) Who does Cincinnatus put his hope into? What does he expect from Emmie, Pierre, or other characters who might help him in some way?

Essay Topic 2

Pierre is an important element in the novel and a representative of the forces of society that are destroying Cincinnatus. Discus Pierre's character, his attitudes, and his reactions.

1) Why does Pierre present himself as a prisoner and try to become Cincinnatus' friend? How does Pierre view his relationship with Cincinnatus?

2) What does Pierre think of himself and his position in society? How does he promote himself? How does he use language and cultural dictates to create "truth?"

3) What elements of Cincinnatus's psyche does Pierre represent?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the importance of the librarian in the novel.

1) What does the librarian's job say about him?

2) How does the librarian react to the other characters and the culture that surrounds him? How does he react to Pierre and the prison director?

3) Why does Cincinnatus try to communicate and make a connection with the librarian near the end of the novel? What does the librarian's reaction say about him? What is the librarian's reaction at the beheading, and what does this indicate?

(see the answer keys)

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