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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. How do Louis and the woman spend time between bouts of love-making?

2. What disturbs Lina about Michel's apartment?

3. To what is Louis resistant the night he cannot sleep in "The Woman on the Dunes?"

4. What are Dorothy's career aspirations?

5. What is the cause of Manuel's loss of sexual desire?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Edna marry Harry and how does she grow apart from him?

2. Why does the woman pass out in her story as the Russian dies?

3. How does Michel seduce Lina?

4. Why does Dorothy become frigid to Robert and how does she attempt to handle it?

5. What are the only ways Manuel can become aroused?

6. How does Manuel plan to entice the schoolgirls to his apartment?

7. Why does the Viking woman leave her husband and what results from it?

8. Describe the two mystery women in "Sirocco."

9. How is Maria finally able to overcome her aversion to sensuality?

10. What are Lina's views on lesbianism?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does the author's language play in the eroticism and sensuality of this book? How does the phrasing and format both increase the sensuality while keeping the reader at a distance from the proceedings? How is this seen, in particular, in "the Woman on the Dunes?" In what ways are the characters' extreme intensity and seriousness increased by the language and writing? Develop a clear thesis statement on this topic and pattern an essay around these questions (though not exclusively). Cite specific examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the conflicting gender dynamics of these stories in the following format:

Part 1) Virgins and their desire to have a lover.

Part 2) The violence and pushiness of certain men (such as Rango and Pierre).

Part 3) Lina.

Part 4) The characters' abilities to take control of their own sex lives.

Part 5) Pleasure at the expense of others.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

What is the difference between erotica and pornography? Why is one considered to be more acceptable? How does "Little Birds" fall into the category of erotica? Do you personally agree with these assessments? Why or why not? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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