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. Who calls Garcin a brute?

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

3. What happens to the room where Inez used to live?

4. Which character killed herself by gas poisoning?

5. Which character was "fair, a natural blond"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the image of a young couple making love in her apartment so upset Inez?

2. What do you think of Inez's promise to not do Garcin any harm if he leaves her and Estelle in peace?

3. What is Inez guilty of?

4. Why do you think that Inez would rather deal with hell face to face?

5. How does Garcin feel when Estelle tells him that it does not matter if he is a coward as long as he kisses well?

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

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

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

9. Why did Garcin say he treated his wife so badly?

10. Why does Inez lie about Estelle's pimple?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Because these characters are dead, issues of death and dying strongly affect the way they behave. Describe how each character died, using as many specifics as you can remember from the play. After you describe how each character died, chose one of the following below and write one paragraph:

A) In your opinion, which death was the "worst" or most unfortunate, and why?

B) Describe which death you feel was most appropriate, that is: which character deserved to die the way they did, and why?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Estelle is characterized as the most selfish of the three characters. Explain the details Sartre uses to show these aspects of her character, including her physical description, her behavior in the room as well as her actions before.

Chose one:

A) Consider her life before: her marriage, affair and pregnancy. What do these details demonstrate about her as a person?

B) Consider her behavior in the room. How does she act, and how do you think that her treatment of Garcin and Inez contributes to the overall conflict of the play?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 946 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample