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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 Fevvers' favourite play?

2. What meat does Rosencreutz serve Fevvers for dinner?

3. What color ribbon does the female chimp have?

4. What is the name of Walser's dwellings?

5. Who pays for the doctor who tends Walser?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Mignon's life story.

2. What does Walser see in Fevvers dressing room?

3. What is clown alley?

4. What imagery does Carter use to describe the ice cream shop?

5. What did Walser conclude about Fevvers before the interview?

6. What pleases Walser about Fevvers in book, 2, chapter 8?

7. In what way has greed been an important theme in this novel so far?

8. How does Fevvers escape from Rosencreutz?

9. What do you think is the cause for Walser's confusion in book 2, chapter 6?

10. In what way do you think Walser's decision to sign up for the circus was an important one to make?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the novel's chronological setting.

1) What were the main concerns during the late 19th century. How does Carter express these concerns?

2) In what ways do you think the novels meaning would change if it was set in today's society?

Essay Topic 2

Critically examine the negative and positive points of Nights at the Circus. Is it an accurate portrayal of late 19th century life? Does it have dramatic impact? Are the characters well drawn?

Essay Topic 3

The novel is set in St. Petersburg.

1) What meaning does St. Petersburg bring to the novel? What would you automatically presume about a novel that was set in St. Petersburg?

2) How different do you think today's St. Petersburg is to the St. Petersburg in the novel? How do you think the novel's meaning would change if it were set in today's St. Petersburg?

3) How do you think the setting contributes to the novel playful,but at times sad atmosphere?

(see the answer keys)

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