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

2. What sort of nightgown does Lina bring to the narrator's home?

3. In what city does "The Maja" take place?

4. What is a pissoir?

5. What is Lina's mood whenever the narrator's lovers come to visit?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Louis "court" the woman in the ocean before he tries to make love to her?

2. Why will Maria never allow her husband to see her nude and rarely poses for him?

3. Why did the Viking woman get married?

4. What are the differing opinions given on why Lina behaves the way she does with the narrator?

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

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

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

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

9. What happens to the woman in the crowd while awaiting the Russian execution?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the continuing themes of this book is to rejoice in life, no matter what is happening around you. How is this used in stories such as "the Woman on the Dunes," "Two Sisters," and "Sirocco?" What is the purpose of these characters using sex to express the joy and unhappiness in their lives? How is this seen in regards to characters who have unfulfilled sexual needs (such as Novalis in "The Maja")? How does this relate to the ephemeral nature of a sexual encounter, as seen in "the Woman on the Dunes?" Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

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.

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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