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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 happens to the prison as Cincinnatus leaves it?

2. What does Marthe give to Cincinnatus when she comes to see him?

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

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

5. Who has asked Marthe to marry him?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Pierre act during his chess game with Cincinnatus?

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

3. Describe the plot of Quercus.

4. What did Cecilia C. ask Marthe for, and what was Marthe's response?

5. What does Pierre realize that he has forgotten in his speech?

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

7. What does Pierre do, when the party moves outside at the meeting between Cincinnatus, Pierre, and the city officials?

8. What is a nonnon?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Absurd and surreal events occur throughout the novel. Discuss the unreality of the novel.

1) In what ways could the novel be considered surrealist? In what ways is it not surrealist?

2) Do the events of the novel reflect Cincinnatus's mind, or do they reflect an objective reality? Is Cincinnatus subconsciously in control of the events?

3) Why does the author use incongruous and dreamlike events in 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 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?

(see the answer keys)

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