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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. Which anniversary are Lewis and Clark celebrating separately while Lewis is in Morocco?

2. From whom is the note that is awaiting Arthur's arrival when he gets to the writer's retreat?

3. Which location in Tahiti is the source of Freddy's desire to go there?

4. What error is printed on the flap of the latest printing of one of Arthur's previous novels?

5. Rather than considering himself German, what nationality does Bastian call his own?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How do Freddy and Arthur differ in their approaches to travel?

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

4. How does the author use the narrator's discussion of camels in order to shape the reader's understanding of how Arthur's "single indulgence" (13) on the trip will likely turn out?

5. In what ways does Arthur see Lewis and Clark's marriage as an ideal one?

6. What characterizes Arthur's approach to teaching?

7. What comments does Zohra make about the subject of Arthur's last completed book when he finally tells her its plot?

8. How do Javier and Arthur meet in France?

9. Discuss the significance of Arthur's reflection that he has always alternated between "the city of youth" and "the country of age" (112).

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author's use of humor alongside humanist messages within the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Examine the topic of the fine arts within the novel. Arthur describes his fascination with a particular exhibit of Japanese artifacts in Washington, D.C. to which his mother takes him as a child. There are several visits to museums within the novel, both in the past and in the present, and the vast majority of the characters in the novel have jobs involving literature in some way. What is the author's message regarding fine art and what its purpose should be?

Essay Topic 3

How is the topic of aging treated within the novel? Create a claim stating the author’s message regarding the process of aging.

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