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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Part 3: The Poet Masturbates, Chaps. 1-14, pp.93-114.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Maman push away her husband's hand when he wants to make love?
(a) She wants him to apologize for humiliating her.
(b) She knows that she no longer loves him.
(c) She wants to punish him for humiliating her.
(d) She suspects that he was cheating.

2. Why does Jaromil begin taking lesson from the art teacher?
(a) Maman took an interest in the art teacher.
(b) He was tired of drawing people with dogs' heads.
(c) He thought the art teacher would make a good father.
(d) His art was consistently mediocre.

3. What does Xavier find most compelling about the woman in the house?
(a) Her eyes.
(b) Her hands.
(c) Her breasts.
(d) Her hair.

4. What does Maman do with the books that the artist loans her?
(a) Reads them openly as a sign of her new love.
(b) Does not read them.
(c) Reads them secretly for fear that Jaromil will recognize them.
(d) Asks Jaromil to read them so she doesn't have to.

5. Why does the artist paint two X's on Maman's face?
(a) To illustrate his secret hatred of women.
(b) So that her original existence means nothing.
(c) To show his cancellation of humanity.
(d) So that he can recreate her.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Xavier do with the husband after his presence is discovered?

2. Jaromil agonizes over his hair. What kind of hair does he have?

3. What night does Magda take her bath?

4. On the train, why does Xavier avoid his Latin professor?

5. Why do Jaromil's poems so often include death?

(see the answer key)

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