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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. The writer's retreat attended by Arthur in India is on a hill above which sea?

2. The narrator describes the two camel boys' affection for one another as resembling the love between which two fictional characters?

3. The narrator describes the Bedouin encampment as a what?

4. How does Arthur feel upon finding out that he has booked himself into a Christian retreat center, rather than the Buddhist one he had imagined?

5. What is the name of Zohra's former lover, whose place on the trip Arthur took when she and Zohra broke up?

Short Essay Questions

1. What reason is given for Arthur's decision not to stay longer in Paris by accepting another flight delay or by staying with Javier?

2. What does Finley announce to Arthur as the reason that Arthur's work is not included in the gay literary canon?

3. What is the difference between Arthur's expectations of the Indian writer's retreat that Carlos had recommended to him and the reality of the situation once he arrives?

4. What does Tahiti symbolize to Arthur and why?

5. What are Arthur's duties during his time in Germany?

6. What is the significance of Arthur noticing the camel boys sitting with their arms around one another in Morocco?

7. What reasons does the narrator give for agreeing with Zohra's prounouncement that the witnessing of the Moroccan sunset is no time for talking?

8. How do Javier and Arthur meet in France?

9. What is the focus of Rupali's warning to Arthur regarding his stay at the Indian retreat?

10. How do Arthur's students, as a whole, respond to his teaching methods?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explicate the theme of innocence within the novel, particularly in relation to the novel's protagonist. What is the author's message regarding innocence and how do you know?

Essay Topic 2

Trace the characterization arc of Arthur’s character throughout the novel. Discuss whether he is a round or flat character and whether he is a static or dynamic character.

Essay Topic 3

How does the theme of isolation function within the novel and what is the author's message regarding this theme?

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