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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who tells Kullervo that his family still lives while he is wandering through the forest?

2. Who helps Vainamoinen and Ilmarinen catch the giant fish?

3. What does Louhi's daughter do when Ilmarinen takes her with him?

4. What does Louhi do to get revenge on Lemminkainen for what Lemminkainen did to the Lord of Pohja?

5. What does Vainamoinen try to convince Ilmarinen to help him do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Are Lemmenkainen, Vainamoinen, and Ilmarinen heroes or gods? Are they immortal and fixed like constellations in their personalities? Or are they people who are larger than life because of their deeds and personalities? Cite examples from the text that support one argument or the other.

Essay Topic 2

Which parts of these tales are particular to their culture and their times? Which parts of these tales are eternal and apply to every human being? Using examples from the text, describe the culture that created these tales. And describe the timeless human nature that created the other parts of them.

Essay Topic 3

What glimpses do you get into the everyday lives of the Finns who composed the Kalevala? What was their life like? What did they value, and what were they afraid of? What technologies did they have? What gods did they believe in? What customs did they follow?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 305 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample