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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What are the two most important things in Shade's life?
(a) His poetry and his wife.
(b) His wife and Charles Kinbote.
(c) His job as a professor and his wife.
(d) His Zemblan heritage and his wife.

2. Kinbote is steadfast in his assertion that "Pale Fire" was intended to be how many lines long?
(a) 166.
(b) 999.
(c) 1000.
(d) 334.

3. In Canto Two we find that Shade's daughter had been vacationing in what faraway place?
(a) France.
(b) Zembla.
(c) Quebec.
(d) New Wye.

4. John Shade recites his poetry to one person prior to its publication. Who is that person?
(a) The king of Zembla.
(b) Charles Kinbote.
(c) His wife.
(d) Dr. Sutton.

5. The first draft of "Pale Fire" was composed on a series of index cards. How many index cards did the author use?
(a) 80.
(b) 166.
(c) 334.
(d) 4.

Short Answer Questions

1. John Shade reads an article written by this person about a woman who had a similar vision?

2. What does Kinbote want us to believe was the catalyst for John Shade's choice to set "Pale Fire" during the winter months?

3. Charles Kinbote thinks John Shade enjoyed more "creative freedom" during the composition of which Canto?

4. What animal did Shade's parents study?

5. What book does King Charles find on his way out of the castle?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Charles Kinbote portray himself in the foreword?

2. Briefly describe King Alfin the Vague.

3. Provide an example or two of the reflection motif found between the commentary to lines 131 and the commentary to lines 162.

4. How does John Shade describe himself as a youth in Canto One?

5. Briefly describe John Shade's vision of the after-life.

6. What are some ways Kinbote tries to make the poem be about himself as opposed to Shade's childhood?

7. List a few possible motivations for Shade's desire to learn more about the after-life.

8. What clues do you see that Charles Kinbote may not be what he seems?

9. How does John Shade understand life?

10. Briefly describe the supernatural occurrences in Canto Two.

(see the answer keys)

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