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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 do Lizzie and Fevvers find in the hut?

2. What language does the outlaw leader talk to Fevvers in?

3. What is the name of the area to where the outlaws take the circus folk?

4. What are the women not allowed to receive in the prison?

5. Which country are the band of men outlawed from?

Short Essay Questions

1. What world has Walser's amnesia submerged him in?

2. What does Lizzie state is her opinion is of Walser in book 3, chapter 1?

3. Describe the clowns performance in book 2, chapter 10.

4. In what way do the elephants express their concept of freedom in book 3, chapter 2?

5. What do the character do to occupy themselves on the train ride?

6. How does Olga bring new hope to the women's prison camp?

7. In what way is freedom a major theme in book 3, chapter 4?

8. Describe Walser's initial meeting with the Shaman.

9. What is happening to Fevvers in book 3, chapter 9?

10. What new thoughts and characteristics does book 2, chapter 9 introduce about Fevvers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Walser's character. What is Walser's character background? What is Walser's motivation? Why do you think Carter specifically chose Walser's character to fall in love with Fevvers?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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