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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 the Americans do to confirm their location?

2. Who does Gould have to send a decree to to build villages near the mine?

3. What is General Barrios' hobby?

4. What does Viola think is all the Italian workers and Nostromo care about?

5. What is Joseph Mitchell's rank?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the Viola family's opinion of Nostromo?

2. Describe Martin Decoud.

3. In what way does Decoud's presence cause problems for the long term residents in Part 2, Chapter 4?

4. In what way does this chapter highlight Ribiera's weaknesses?

5. Why does Mrs. Gould show a concern for her husband and his mine in Chapter 6, Part 2?

6. Describe Nostromo.

7. What happens to the Americans that go in search of the silver mine?

8. What do you think the silver mine represents?

9. What is the history of the silver mine as outlined in Chapter 6, Part 1?

10. In what way does the party in Chapter 5, Part 2, reflect the problems that resulted in the civil war?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Conrad use character and dialogue to drive the narrative.

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Away from the main character, Nostromo, examine the way Conrad uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the novel's chronological setting.

1) What were the main concerns during the early 20th century. How does Conrad express these concerns?

2) In what ways do you think the novel's meaning would change if it were set in today's society?

Essay Topic 3

Nostromo is written in the third person. Why do you think Conrad chose to write the story in the third person? How do you think the meaning of the story would have changed if it were written in the first person?

(see the answer keys)

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