View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Estelle says that she is in the room...

2. Which character used to go to parties at the country homes of her friends?

3. Who asks the Valet if they can turn out the lights?

4. What is strange about Estelle's friend at her funeral?

5. Will the Valet always come when the bell rings?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are eyes and "not looking at each other" symbolically important at this part in the play?

2. What are some of the things that cause tension between Inez and Garcin?

3. What does Estelle say about why she thinks she is in the room?

4. When Garcin asks the Valet what is outside the room, what does the Valet say?

5. What does Estelle complain about when she enters the room?

6. What does Garcin in his shirtsleeves stand for? Why does Estelle say she cannot stand a man in his shirtsleeves?

7. Describe the room in which Garcin finds himself.

8. Why does Sartre introduce Estelle with her concerns about the sofas?

9. Why does Estelle refuse Inez's offer of her sofa?

10. Describe Inez's reaction to the Estelle's and Garcin's reasons for why they are in the room.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The pen knife is an important symbol because it helps the climax erupt and the play's falling action begin. Discuss the pen knife, its purpose as both a thematic symbol for these characters as well as a literal weapon. What purpose does it serve for Estelle to stab Inez, when she has been torturing her emotionally the whole play, for example. Discuss Garcin's wish that he could substitute physical torture for this mental anguish in terms of this violence.

In addition, decide whether or not you think these three have been punished enough, or if they deserve to be stuck with each other for eternity.

Essay Topic 2

There is a lot of implicit meaning in this play, and the characters misrepresent their pasts to varying degrees. While Inez is relatively upfront about her crimes, Garcin holds back and Estelle is in severe denial about her past. Pick two of the explicit actions of the play below and discuss the implicit significance of each.

A) Garcin kissing Estelle.

B) Inez lying about the pimple.

C) Estelle crying without tears.

Essay Topic 3

As the dramatic tension increases, the characters reveal more about themselves and their pasts, and lay themselves bare to their fellow torturers. Their former lives are also like mirrors that suddenly show them the truths of their existence. Pick one of the passages below and explicate it in terms of this image of inner truth:

A) "There they are, slumped in their chairs, sucking at their cigars. Bored they look. Half-asleep. They're thinking: 'Garcin's a coward." [Garcin]

B) "The music is growing fainter. They've turned down the lights, as they do for a tango. Why are they playing so softly? Louder, please. I can't hear. It's so far away, so far away." [Estelle]

C) "The windows are wide open, a man is sitting on the bed. My bed, if you please!" [Inez]

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 798 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample