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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. In the photohoroscope, when does the subject die?

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

3. What happens to the prison as Cincinnatus leaves it?

4. What happens to the tunnel entrance in Cincinntus' cell?

5. Where does Cincinnatus see Marthe, during his trip to the location of his execution?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Rodion act toward Cincinnatus?

3. What is a nonnon?

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

5. What does the librarian do when Cincinnatus tries to express his true thoughts?

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

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

8. Describe the plot of Quercus.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the setting of the prison.

1) Why is the prison set high on a mountain? Why is Cincinnatus the only prisoner? Why is it so large and rambling, with confused passages? What does this contribute to the novel?

2) What does Cincinnatus's cell look like? What do the elements in Cincinnatus's cell represent or indicate? How is Cincinnatus's cell different from Pierre's cell?

3) Why do the cell and prison collapse when Cincinnatus is taken away to be executed?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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