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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. In Book II, Stanza 5, why does Maldoror consider throwing the girl against a wall?

2. How does Maldoror describe the talking toad he meets in Book I, Stanza 13?

3. In Book II, Stanza 11, what does Maldoror do when the angel appears?

4. With what does the narrator begin this poem?

5. In Book II, Stanza 5, what does Maldoror remember the little girl asking him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Maldoror when he realizes he was born evil?

2. What does the child chasing the horse-drawn bus make Maldoror think of?

3. Why does Maldoror tell men to stop worshiping an insect god?

4. What does the grave digger tell Maldoror about mortality?

5. Why does Maldoror praise mathematics in Book II, Stanza 10?

6. In Book I, Stanza 6, what does Maldoror suggest people do to children?

7. In Book II, Stanza 15, what does Maldoror do when he finds himself at odds with conscience?

8. What does Maldoror do after watching the family eat dinner in Book I, Stanza 11?

9. What does Maldoror predict about his death in Book I, Stanza 10?

10. In Book 1, Stanza 8, why does Maldoror say he is like dogs?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the different physical embodiments of God used in this poem. Give examples from the poem to support your comparison.

Essay Topic 2

Evaluate the use of the poetic form for this piece of literature. How does this choice impact the reader? What would change if the form changed?

Essay Topic 3

How is "Lautréamont's Maldoror" a critique of Christianity? Give examples of Christian themes or symbols used by the author and their implications.

(see the answer keys)

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