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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. What does Cecilia C. tell Cincinnatus about his father?

2. What does Rodrig want to add to Pierre's speech?

3. What is the last word that Cincinnatus has to find an additional piece of paper to write?

4. What does Emmie whisper in Cincinnatus's ear?

5. What does CIncinnatus do in response to the scratching noises?

Short Essay Questions

1. What inconsistency in Cecilia C.'s clothes does Cincinnatus point out?

2. What does Cincinnatus's letter to Marthe say?

3. What is a nonnon?

4. Describe what happens to Cincinnatus's cell when the tunnel is completed.

5. How does Cincinnatus react when Pierre, the director, and the lawyer announce that it is time for his execution?

6. How does Marthe get permission to come and see Cincinnatus?

7. What announcements does the deputy city director make before the execution?

8. What is on the list of acceptable last requests that Pierre reads?

9. What does Pierre do after the party starts breaking up, before heading back to the prison?

10. What happens at the moment of Cincinnatus's execution?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The ending of the novel is ambiguous, open to more than one interpretation. Discuss the ending of the novel.

1) If the ending of the novel is objectively real, what is happening? Why is Cincinnatus able to walk away? What does this imply about Cincinnatus's character, the culture he is immersed in, and the prison that he has been in? What does it imply about the other characters?

2) If the ending of the novel is merely Cincinnatus's subjective perception, what is happening? Why is Cincinnatus suddenly freed? What does this imply about Cincinnatus's character, the nature of reality, the culture he is immersed in, and the prison he has been in? What does it imply about his crime?

3) What is your personal interpretation of the ending of the novel?

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

The novel revolves around Cincinnatus's persecution for a crime, but his crime is never clearly explained. Discuss the nature of Cincinnatus's crime.

1) What does "gnostic turpitude" mean? How does this phrase describe Cincinnatus' crime?

2) What does the episode in Cincinnatus's childhood when he walks in the air reveal about Cincinnatus' crime?

3) How do the other characters react to Cincinnatus' crime and what does this reveal about the nature of the crime? What is Cincinnatus's own attitude, and why won't he repent?

(see the answer keys)

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