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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. What is the only thing that Shekure says she thinks about in her letter?

2. How does Shekure's father respond to her inquiry about the meeting between him and Black?

3. Where does Black want Shekure to meet him?

4. What signals Esther that Shekure wants her to leave?

5. When the storyteller switches to talking about the tree why does he explain that completing the book has become complicated?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Esther believe about the letter that she has just delivered to Black and how does she explain her reasoning?

2. How did Enishte and Black meet and what caused their relationship to end?

3. What does the letter to Black say?

4. What does Butterfly show to Black and what is it?

5. What happens when Shevket corners Black outside the outhouse?

6. What does Shekure request must happen before she will marry him and how does Black ensure it happens?

7. What does Orhan recount that Enishte and Black discussed in regard to Elegant and the cause of his murder?

8. Who does Esther assume the letter is for and why?

9. What is the story of how Black was asked to leave Istanbul?

10. What story does the murderer tell Enishte instead of telling him his agenda?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel there is a continuous conflict between art as a representation of meaning and art for its own sake. Which side of this conflict do your beliefs fall that art should be? Why do you feel this way? Where do you think Black stands on this issue?

Essay Topic 2

In what ways do the actions of the characters symbolize the progressive style of art? Do you think this was intentional on the part of the author? If so, why? If not, why not?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, the murderer's conscience seems to be in turmoil? Why do you think this is the case? Do you think the turmoil is justified? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 680 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample