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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. What does Nathaniel want Jesus to do for him in Magdala?

2. Why does the old woman feed Jesus?

3. What does Jesus do when he is slapped?

4. After hearing what Jesus says to Simeon, what does Jesus's mother do?

5. How does Jesus feel about these dreams?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Abbot Joachim dying?

2. How is Jesus described in Chapter 1?

3. What occurs between Judas, Zebedee, and Philip when they meet in Capernaum during the storm?

4. Why does Judas Iscariot visit Jesus at the beginning of the novel?

5. What is the Curse?

6. What does Jesus do to defend Mary Magdalene in Capernaum?

7. How does Jesus meet Zebedee?

8. How does Jesus's mother feel when she sees Jesus carrying the cross at the beginning of the novel?

9. Why doesn't Jesus propose to Mary Magdalene?

10. What does Jesus say to comfort the poor in Capernaum, who look to him for guidance?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The angel with the green wings is the last one to tempt Jesus and shows him what he could have had if he had not chosen to follow the path God laid out for him. What effect does the angel's interference have on Jesus? How does it change Jesus's attitude toward the events of his life and his crucifixion? Who sent the angel? Why? What is its purpose? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Paul tells Jesus that obstinacy, longing, and faith create truth. The world needs consolation, factual or not. How does Jesus react to these statements? How true are they? What historical examples serve to prove Paul's point? What is Kazantzakis trying to say about faith, religion, and truth? How does Paul's version of truth relate to the kind that Jesus is trying to spread? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Kazantzakis portrays Jesus as a human being who experiences temptations, sin, and vice, and who is not always welcoming of God's will. How is this portrayal of Jesus different from the way he is depicted in scripture and other religious writings? Why do you think Kazantzakis chose to portray Jesus this way? What can we infer about Kazantzakis's opinion of the accuracy of scripture? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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