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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. Garcin wishes he had been placed in a room full of what?

2. Who is attracted to Estelle?

3. Why did Garcin want to face death courageously?

4. Which character(s) refers to Estelle as "the child"?

5. What does Inez describe Estelle's mouth as?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Estelle so upset when she sees Olga tell one of her lovers the truth?

2. Sartre uses a mirror as a symbol in Part 3. Describe how the mirror is important to understanding the character of Estelle.

3. Why did Garcin flee to Mexico, and what does it have to do with cowardice?

4. Why does Estelle shed no actual tears when she cries?

5. Why is it significant that Garcin's colleagues have called him a coward?

6. What does Sartre demonstrate about Garcin when he interrupts his kissing Estelle to listen in to what his colleagues are saying?

7. What do you think is the worst thing Garcin did to his wife?

8. In this section of the play, Estelle asks Garcin to hold her. Why?

9. What does Garcin mean when he says that he can see where talking to each other will lead?

10. What do you think of Inez's attempt to woo Estelle by calling her by the romantic names her lovers used to use?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Near the end of the play, Garcin and Estelle make ready to flee the room. Describe what happens when the door opens. Consider the following questions: Why does Garcin want to leave the room? Why does Estelle want to leave the room? Does Inez want to leave the room? Why or why not.

In addition, decide what you would do, if you were in their circumstances. Would you leave the room? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

One of the off screen aspects of this play are visions the characters have of their former lives and survivors back on earth. Each of the three sees visions of how life is carrying on without them.

Pick either

A) Garcin,

B) Estelle or

C) Inez

and describe what they see when they look back to earth. Be sure to explain what they literally see and what they tell the others in the room about it. Also describe what their vision represents, either symbolically or in terms of the guilt and denial the characters are experiencing.

Essay Topic 3

Feminist critique of this play might argue that while all three characters are unlikable, the portrayal of women is skewed toward the negative. Inez is cruel and Estelle vain, and Garcin makes altogether a more sympathetic impact on the audience.

(chose one, A or B)

A) Compare and contrast the ways Sartre characterizes Inez and Estelle. Focus on textual specifics: What they look like, how they behave, and what the audience thinks of them. How are their portrayals similar to and different from each other?

B) Decide if you think that Garcin is a sympathetic character and one audiences will like. Defend your argument either that he is likable or is not likable with examples.

Then:

C) Discuss how the off screen characters--Roger, Florence, Inez's cousin, Garcin's wife--affect your interpretation of and response to either A) or B) above.

(see the answer keys)

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