View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following does NOT describe Wilhelm Dinesen?

2. Dinesen's relationship with Denys Finch Hatton became a major part of her story ____________________.

3. With whom did Dinesen spend most of her time during her childhood?

4. In photographs from her childhood, Dinesen appeared to the the _______________ sister.

5. What did Bror do while Dinesen was spending time in the city in #78?

Short Essay Questions

1. How could Dinesen's marriage to Bror best be described?

2. How could Dinesen's writing style best be characterized, and what was her most famous literary work?

3. How did being a woman challenge Dinesen's writing career?

4. How did Bror react to Dinesen's affair with Denys?

5. Why was becoming an adult not what Dinesen expected in terms of her life's direction?

6. Why did Dinesen have difficulty fitting in with the aristocratic landowners in Africa?

7. What was the nature of the conflict between Dinesen and her Aunt Bess?

8. What decision did Dinesen make to end her period of indecisiveness?

9. How did Dinesen and Bror celebrate in Paris after a good coffee harvest in 1918?

10. What was Dinesen's family background,and why was she drawn more to her father's family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the overall setting and time period for Isak Dinesen's young adulthood? What was Denmark like during this time period? How important are the time period and setting to the attitudes and issues of Dinesen, her family and friends?

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Thomas Dinesen. What did he look like? What were his positive personality traits? What were some of his negative characteristics? What do we know of him? What were his hopes and fears? What were his primary motivations during his life?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the significance of the book's title. Why is it called simply "Isak Dinesen: The Life of a Storyteller"? What was Judith Thurman trying to emphasize with this emphatic style? Suggest three alternate titles for this book with supporting rationale for each.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 942 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample