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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Pale Fire, Canto Three.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. John Shade reads an article written by this person about a woman who had a similar vision?
(a) The President of the IPH.
(b) Jim Coats.
(c) Charles Kinbote.
(d) Gerald Emerald.

2. Which best describes Kinbote's reason for rejecting the offer by the first potential publisher of "Pale Fire"?
(a) Sybil Shade would not recieve her full share of the profits.
(b) He made Kinbote responsible for any errors in the commentary.
(c) He would not let Kinbote translate the poem into Zemblan.
(d) Kinbote would not have full editorial control.

3. Which pair best describe the prominent motifs of the first Canto?
(a) Windows and snow.
(b) Innocence and loss.
(c) Nature and technology.
(d) Nature and death.

4. What is the first metaphor Shade uses to describe himself?
(a) A pheasant's feet.
(b) A snowflake falling to the ground.
(c) A bird flying into a window.
(d) A great bear.

5. Of the following, who is not mentioned in the first Canto?
(a) A Candian maid.
(b) Dr. Sutton.
(c) Shade's aunt.
(d) The King of Zembla.

Short Answer Questions

1. John Shade is skeptical but he wants to believe in what?

2. Which of the following most closely describes Kinbote's depiction by university drama students?

3. Which of the following best describes John Shade's idea of life on earth?

4. Of the following, which most accurately describes the lines in the first stanza of Canto One?

5. Charles Kinbote "mercifully " attributes this name to one professor, perhaps due to his green jacket.

(see the answer key)

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