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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 is a pissoir?

2. Besides Robert, how does Edna find her self-confidence again?

3. To where does the tall woman flee when she leaves her husband?

4. For what reason do Maria and Novalis have their first argument?

5. For what reason does the tall woman admit to having fallen in love with her husband in "Sirocco?"

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Dorothy and Edna in "Two Sisters."

2. What is a sirocco and how does it affect the narrator?

3. In the story "The Maja," why did Novalis marry Maria and how does this affect their marriage?

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

5. What leads up to the schoolgirls running from Manuel at the end of this story?

6. What happens have Lina, Michel, and the narrator sleep together?

7. In what ways does Lina try to seduce the narrator?

8. Why does Louis walk to the beach in "The Woman on the Dunes"?

9. Describe Robert and Dorothy's relationship from the time to they meet until the time they first make love.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the story "Lina," does it appear that Lina gave consent to Michel? Why or why not? Discuss whether Lina was actually raped, as well as the morality of what Michel and the narrator do to her. Points to consider (but not exclusively) include her apparent enjoyment of the threesome, Michel's use of an aphrodisiac, as well as Lina leaving Paris the day after their encounter.

Essay Topic 2

In terms of racist language and reference, what marks these stories as having been written in a much earlier than this one? How is this particularly seen in "Saffron" and "Sirocco?" How can these stories be seen as a commentary about these men's needs to control women? In what ways is this sort of bigotry on display in "the Queen?" What is significant about the fact that these references are all seen in relation to selfish, bitter, and controlling men?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the role of age and youth in these stories in the following format:

Part 1) The young brides.

Part 2) The sexually adventurous teenagers.

Part 3) The conflicts that arise from partners with a distinct age difference.

Part 4) The cultural differences in youth

Part 5) The compromises within the relationships, as well as the fate of the relationship.

Some of the stories that should definitely be discussed (but not exclusively) include "Saffron," "Sirocco," "a Model," and "Runaway." Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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