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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. According to the mashpia, Jewish souls are like what?

2. In Chapter 2, Aryeh's travel becomes hindered by a snowstorm, leaving him stranded in which city?

3. In Chapter 2, Rivkeh tells Asher about the ancient, tragic event of the burning of what city's library?

4. In which summer activity do Asher's parents never engage?

5. Yudel Krinsky spent many years in which geographical region?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to the mashpia's instructions, there are three types of Jews. List the types and explain them briefly.

2. When Asher first meets Jacob Kahn, what advice does Jacob give him concerning becoming an artist?

3. Why does Asher ask Yudel Krinsky questions about Russia?

4. What happened to Yudel Krinsky in Russia? Describe some of his life before coming to the United States.

5. Where does the Lev family spend their summers? What do they do there?

6. How does Aryeh react to the Rebbe's decision to allow Asher to study under Jacob Kahn?

7. In Chapter 1, Asher sometimes goes with Aryeh to the office. What does Aryeh do there, according to Asher?

8. Several times in Chapter 4, Aryeh explains his reasons for wanting to go to Europe to work for the Rebbe. Explain some of those reasons.

9. Explain the Rebbe's opinion of Asher's desire to be an artist.

10. What does Asher know about his paternal grandfather?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does Asher have to move to Paris after his community sees the Brooklyn Crucifixions? Do you think Asher was right to leave Brooklyn, or do you think he should have publicly defended his work? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Describe Aryeh's and Rivkeh's reactions to the Brooklyn Crucifixions. How are their reactions related to their feelings about the Jewish faith, Jewish history, and their community?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, the question arises whether Asher's art is from the Ribbono shel olom, which is a name for God, or from the sitra achra, which is a name for the forces of evil. Asher himself wonders at various times what the source of his art is. Provide some reasons why Asher's art may possibly come from each source, and then explain whether you think Asher's art sides with good or with evil. If you think his art is completely neutral, explain why. Use specific examples from the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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