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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 is Nostromo's new nickname?

2. What other character does Sotillo turn to for information?

3. Which character is the reader reintroduced to in this chapter?

4. What does Hirsch think has happened to Nostromo and Decoud?

5. Who is Antonia worried about in this chapter?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do you think that Sotillo's takeover of Sulaco is so quick and brutal?

2. Describe the collision between the two boats in Part 2, Chapter 8.

3. What do the town leaders show is their true worry in Part 3, Chapter 2?

4. In what can Don Pepe be seen as one of the novel's stronger characters?

5. What does Decoud write in his letter to his sister?

6. What are Antonia and Gould's real concerns?

7. Why is Nostromo so angry in Part 3, Chapter 8?

8. In what way does Nostromo show his attitude towards life has changed in Part 3, Chapter 9?

9. How is the silver threatening to ruin Nostromo's life?

10. How is the silver corrupting the characters?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at South American politics. How far reaching do the students think politics are in South American society? Does it affect even Decoud and Antonia's love life? Choose a character in the novel and discuss how politics affects and restricts his/her decisions.

Essay Topic 2

Identify the main themes of the story. Why do you think these themes are so important to the story? How does Conrad use character and setting to express these themes?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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