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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 did Dinesen go when she needed a break from her life for awhile?

2. What did Dinesen try to do after Bror left?

3. What was the result of the disease's impact on Dinesen?

4. When did Denys die?

5. Which of the following did Dinesen NOT auction off?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was Dinesen considered to be a controversial celebrity?

2. In what ways was Dinesen alienated from her own people during the war?

3. How well did Dinesen adapt to her return to Denmark?

4. What are some reasons that Dinesen's work was so well received during her lifetime?

5. To what does the author draw parallels with Dinesen's work during middle age?

6. In what ways did Dinesen suffer after her departure from Africa?

7. What type of drugs did Dinesen become addicted to and how did they make her behave?

8. How did Dinesen help the Danish Resistance movement during the war?

9. How did Dinesen and Denys live during their relationship?

10. How was Dinesen's independent life in conflict with the norms for women in the early 20th century?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the impact that Dinesen's childhood had on her as an adult. What were the expectations for young women growing up in Denmark during the early 1900s? How did Dinesen reject most of what was expected of her? How did Dinesen use her childhood experiences to help in the creation of her life's work?

Essay Topic 2

The theme of independence is an important one in Dinesen's life and in her work. Describe how it extends through setting, subjects, technique, etc. and provide examples for each.

Essay Topic 3

Independence takes on an almost human persona in this book. What was the source of the depiction of independence in so much of Dinesen's life? How strong were Dinesen's feelings and need for independence? What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

(see the answer keys)

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