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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 two things does the writer state are most precious to man?

2. What does the writer state man wants to cling to?

3. What does the writer say about the offense he took for various things in his life?

4. What does the writer say a man can do with no primary cause for action?

5. How does the writer feel his life would be if he lived as a man of action?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the writer think man sometimes desires nonsense?

2. Who does the writer state is the antithesis of a normal person?

3. What does the writer say about the families of men who continually groan with pain?

4. How does the writer continue to explain a man of action's seemingly dull-witted actions and justifications?

5. What does the writer say about the laws of nature with regard to mankind?

6. Discuss the writer's profession and his feelings about his work.

7. At the beginning of Part 1, Chapter 1, the writer provides the reader with a self description. How does the writer describe himself?

8. Why does the writer feel men take revenge?

9. What does the writer say taking revenge does to a man?

10. What does the writer think is the purpose of intelligence?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In your opinion, do you think the writer is a "Hero" or a "Coward"? Provide examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

At the beginning of the book, Dostoevsky states that the narrator is fictional. Do you think he is truly fictional or could he possible represent Dostoevsky? Support your answer with evidence from the book and what you've learned about Dostoevsky personally.

Essay Topic 3

The writer discusses men of action. What does he say about men of action? How does he feel about these men? Does he think of himself as a man of action? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 629 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample