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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 Emmie whisper in Cincinnatus's ear?

2. Who does Rodrig show Cincinnatus a 'photohoroscope' of?

3. Who has asked Marthe to marry him?

4. Who comes through the tunnel?

5. What does Cincinnatus refuse to do after Pierre's speech about why he pretended to be a prisoner?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What does Emmie's mother describe as Emmie's last prank before going back to school?

6. How does Cincinnatus respond to Pierre's speech?

7. How does Rodion act toward Cincinnatus?

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

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

10. Describe the plot of Quercus.

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss deception in the novel.

1) In what ways is Cincinnatus deceived throughout the novel? How does Pierre deceive him? How does Rodrig deceive him? How does Emmie deceive him? How does Marthe deceive him?

2) How does Cincinnatus react to being deceived? Does he let himself be deceived? How does he respond when he knows he's been deceived?

3) Does Cincinnatus deceive himself? How?

(see the answer keys)

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