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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. To whom does the little maid recount what she hears from Vainamoinen?

2. Where does the eagle take Vainamoinen when it rescues him?

3. Who helps Lemmenkainen's mother reassemble Lemmenkainen's body?

4. What is happening when the Water-Mother experiences an upsurge of energy?

5. What does Lemminkainen do to press his suit?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ilmarinen's wife express her distaste for Kullervo?

2. What happens when Vainamoinen tells Aino to wear jewelry?

3. What does the Maid of Pohja dream, and what does her dream signify?

4. How does Vainamoinen kill the pike and what does he do with it after he kills it?

5. What happens when Lemminkainen decides to go to the wedding?

6. How do Vainamoinen, Ilmarinen, and Lemminkainen steal the Sampo?

7. How does Vainamoinen convince Ilmarinen to help him steal the Sampo in Pohja?

8. What do Marjetta's parents do when Marjetta gets pregnant?

9. What happens when Vainamoinen prays for someone to cut down the enormous oak?

10. How does Marjetta lose and then find her baby?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sometimes characters are brought back to life in the Kalevala. Who or what determines whether characters are let to die or are brought back to life? Is there a Fate-like agency that decides? Or is it the whim of the story? Choose three examples of characters dying or being brought back to life and from those instances, describe the significance of death in the Kalevala.

Essay Topic 2

On several occasions, characters lie about their intentions before they finally tell the truth. What role does lying play in the Kalevala, and how do characters arrive at the truth? How are characters tricked or misled? Is misdirection always found out, or do characters get away with their lies? Cite examples from the text as you answer.

Essay Topic 3

How does the Kalevala describe women? What range of roles do women play? What range of roles do men play? Is there ever any overlap or play with roles? Is Louhi ever masculine? Is Vainamoinen ever feminine?

(see the answer keys)

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