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. What was Estelle's brother like?

2. What is Garcin's profession?

3. Whom does Estelle expect in the room?

4. What did Inez do for a living?

5. What did Estelle die of?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. When Garcin is asked why he is in the room, what does he say? Do you believe him, and why or why not?

3. Why do you think the author shows Garcin looking at his colleagues relaxing at the end of the day, smoking cigars?

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

5. Why does Inez believe Garcin to be her torturer?

6. What is Garcin's response to Inez saying that there was reason to be afraid "before," but not now?

7. How do you know that these characters are dead and in hell, despite the fact that Sartre does not explicitly state it?

8. What kinds of differences are established between the three characters when Estelle asks if the other two have ever attended a country party at the home of one of her friends?

9. Describe, at this point in the play, the nature of hell.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider the order in which Sartre introduces the characters into the room. Write an essay that considers the following:

1. Why does Garcin come first? What are the advantages to the story and to the tension that will develop to having him introduce the play and anchor the action?

2. If you were Sartre, would you have put Inez on stage next? Is it significant that she and Garcin are in the room alone for a few minutes before Estelle joins them?

3. Discuss Estelle's introduction to the room (the color of the sofa, etc.) and describe how it heightens the growing tension in the room.

4. How does the order of the characters foreshadow the very end of the play?

Essay Topic 2

Sartre uses symbols to communicate deeper levels of meaning in this play. In an essay, describe the first instances of this symbol, i.e. what it meant and how it was represented at the beginning of the play. Then examine how the symbol evolved, or how the characters' and audiences understanding of the symbol changes over the course of the play. Chose one of the following symbols:

A) The bronze statue.

B) The human eye.

Essay Topic 3

The scene where Inez offers to be Estelle's mirror is very revealing of the central tension between the two women and shows the audience more about their inner selves. It links symbolically the human eye and mirrors. Chose one of the following:

A) Discuss how this scene fits into a larger pattern of symbols, or a motif of mirrors, glass, eyes, seeing, etc.

B) Explain what this scene reveals about Inez and Estelle, and helps show the audience how they really are.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 814 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample