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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. When Maldoror starts following Mervyn, what is his dilemma?

2. What type of death does the narrator discuss in Book V, Stanza 3?

3. In Book V, Stanza 2, what are the balls the beetle is rolling made of?

4. How does Maldoror feel about being visited by the spider every night in Book V, Stanza 7?

5. What is on top of the mound the beetle rolls ball to?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened when Maldoror fell asleep on the cliff in Book IV, Stanza 6?

2. In Book V, Stanza 3, how does the narrator describe people's relationship to death?

3. How does Maldoror's letter to Mervyn impact Mervyn?

4. Why does Maldoror remember being angry with Falmer?

5. Who is Elsseneur?

6. In Book V, Stanza 7, how does Maldoror react to the spider's nightly visits?

7. In Book V, Stanza 2, what does the narrator realize about the vulture and the owl?

8. What does the narrator think of martyrs?

9. What happens at the child's funeral in Book V, Stanza 6?

10. In Book V, Stanza 2, what does the beetle do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the ocean as a motif in this poem. Give examples of Lautréamont's use of the ocean and explain its symbolism and meaning.

Essay Topic 2

How are gender roles defined in this poem? What role does division of gender play in this poem, including its themes?

Essay Topic 3

How does Lautréamont use surrealism throughout this poem? What is the effect of this device? How is it effective or ineffective? Make sure you define surrealism in your essay and use specific examples of it in the poem.

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