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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 IV, Stanza 6, where does Maldoror remember falling asleep?

2. What does Mervyn do when he reaches home in Book IV, Stanza 3?

3. In Book V, Stanza 7, what does the spider do to Maldoror every night?

4. What does the narrator think Mervyn should do instead of walk faster?

5. Why does Maldoror say he has tried to erase the memory of his dream from Book IV, Stanza 6?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Elsseneur?

2. In Book VI, Stanza 4, what does Maldoror learn from listening in at Mervyn's door?

3. In Book IV, Stanza 2, what is Maldoror's conflict with humanity?

4. In Book IV, Stanza 2, what is the narrator's message about laughter?

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

6. Why does Maldoror remember being angry with Falmer?

7. What have men done to Maldoror in Book IV, Stanza 4?

8. What happens when Maldoror first sees Mervyn?

9. What does the narrator think of martyrs?

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

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

Explain how and why animals are used in "Lautréamont's Maldoror," giving specific examples from the text to support your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

How is success defined in this poem? How is the search for success a theme? Give specific examples from the poem to support your position.

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