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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 will the execution take place?

2. Who meets Cincinnatus, when he is finally outside of the prison?

3. How do the city officials say to Pierre at the end of the supper?

4. What does Pierre anoint himself and Cincinnatus with?

5. When does Emmie tell Cincinnatus that her rescue attempt will take place?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is a nonnon?

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

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

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

5. How does Rodion act toward Cincinnatus?

6. Describe the plot of Quercus.

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rodrig and Rodion are the two main representatives of the prison staff in the novel, and throughout the novel, they transform into each other. Discuss the significance of Rodion and Rodrig in the novel.

1) Why are Rodrig and Rodion associated with each other? What do they have in common?

2) What are Rodrig and Rodion's differences? How superficial are these differences?

3) How do Rodrig and Rodion view Cincinnatus? What does Cincinnatus think of the two prison employees? What do they represent in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Emmie's character becomes a source of hope for Cincinnatus. Discuss Emmie's role in the novel.

1) What qualities does Emmie's character have? What does Cincinnatus assume about Emmie's character? How do his assumptions differ from the reality?

2) How does Emmie represent childhood? What is Cincinnatus's perception of childhood, and how does it affect his view of Emmie?

3) How does Emmie's betrayal of Cincinnatus affect him? How do others view that betrayal?

Essay Topic 3

Cincinnatus's mother Cecelia C. is one of the few people to visit him in prison. Discuss Cecelia C.'s role in the novel.

1) What is Cincinnatus's attitude toward his mother?

2) Why does Cecelia C. come to see him in prison? What does her attitude toward Cincinnatus seem to be? Why did she abandon her son, and why does she come to see him again?

3) How is Cecelia C.'s visit different from the other visits Cincinnatus receives in prison? How is he similar to his mother? How are they different? What affect does the visit have on Cincinnatus?

(see the answer keys)

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