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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Commentary, Line 167: There was a time, etc. through Line 171: A great conspiracy.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What happened to Shade's parents when he was a boy?
(a) They put him up for adoption.
(b) They were imprisoned.
(c) They divorced/seperated.
(d) They died.

3. What is the name of the secret group that sends an assassin after King Charles?
(a) The Marxists.
(b) The Shadows.
(c) The Extreme.
(d) The Freudians.

4. During what time of the year does John Shade prefer to write?
(a) Winter.
(b) Spring.
(c) Upon the conclusion of the Zemblan harvest.
(d) Summer.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Which pair best describe the prominent motifs of the first Canto?

2. Of the following, who is not mentioned in the first Canto?

3. John Shade comes to the realization that he can not find what at the I.P.H.?

4. Kinbote is steadfast in his assertion that "Pale Fire" was intended to be how many lines long?

5. The phrase "pale fire" is used in the foreword to describe what?

(see the answer key)

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