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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 her long weeks of studying and of waiting for Aryeh to return, Rivkeh picks up the habit of gnawing on what object?
2. On Shabbos afternoons, Aryeh returns to the synagogue alone in order to do what?
3. Asher sees strong similarities between the face of the mashpia and the face of which other character?
4. After looking at what was left on his chair in the Rebbe's waiting room, Asher draws a picture and dates it using which calendar style?
5. After completing her undergraduate degree, Rivkeh pursues a master's degree in which academic discipline?
Short Essay Questions
1. Out of a deep longing to learn to use oil paints, Asher steals several tubes of oil paint and several brushes from Yudel Krinsky's store. What does he do with them? Why do you think he does this?
2. 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.
3. When Asher first meets Jacob Kahn, what advice does Jacob give him concerning becoming an artist?
4. What happened to Yudel Krinsky in Russia? Describe some of his life before coming to the United States.
5. The mashpia talks with Asher about his behavior in school, such as his drawing the Rebbe in the Chumash. Then, he leaves Asher in the office with a notebook. What happens next?
6. The scene when Asher meets Yudel Krinsky for the first time becomes a very important subject for Asher's art. What is Yudel Krinsky doing at the moment of meeting Asher? How does he act?
7. Why does Asher miss his father so much on the first Shabbos without him?
8. Whenever Aryeh leaves for a trip, Rivkeh says, "Have a safe journey, Aryeh." In Chapter 5, Asher begins to develop a sensitivity to Rivkeh's underlying emotions. Describe what Rivkeh is feeling when she says goodbye to Aryeh.
9. When talking with Asher about Vienna, what does Yudel Krinsky imply when he quotes, "honor your father and mother"?
10. Why doesn't Asher want to go to Vienna?
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
World view is an important topic in this novel. For example, Jacob Kahn views the world as an artist, while Aryeh views the world as an observant Jew who obeys his rabbi. Choose a character and explain how his or her world view drives his or her actions and thoughts.
Essay Topic 3
Do you think that Asher's decision to become an artist is something he could have escaped, if he had wished? Do you think that his decision causes him to lead a more fulfilled or a less fulfilled life?
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This section contains 1,179 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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