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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 does the story "Hilda and Rango" end?

2. Why does Mary not want Mandra to meet her husband?

3. What does a chanchiquito do?

4. How does the painter know Bijou has been faithless?

5. What position is Laura holding after Jan is done drawing on the ceiling?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Rango.

2. How does Rango treat Hilda after their first, failed sexual encounter?

3. How does Fay discover Albert is being unfaithful?

4. How are Paul and Miriam full of "aristocratic impudence?"

5. How does the painter know Bijou is faithless at the Art Ball?

6. What happens when Fay demands Albert make love to her?

7. Describe the contrasts (physical and personality-wise) between Jan and Laura.

8. Describe the scene where the painter decorates Bijou.

9. How does Jan seduce Laura at the end of this story?

10. In "The Chanchiquito", what happens to the old lady in Laura's uncle's story?

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

How is sexual repression depicted in this book? How does a sexually repressed childhood (with conflicting messages) affect Dorothy and Edna of "Two Sisters?" Why is Lina repressed, despite her reciprocated attraction to her female friend? What about Maria from "the Maja?" How does this affect her marriage to Novalis and how does it affect his art? What do all of the repressed characters have in common? What changes their outlook on sex by the end of the stories and how does it fundamentally seem to change them?

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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