View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Kinbote, who was Thurgus the Third's lover?

2. Charles Kinbote gave John Shade a detailed drawing of King Charles' castle; what does he want John Shade's wife to do with the picture?

3. Who is the previous inhabitant of Charles Kinbote's house?

4. While he makes his way through the mountains, King Charles stops to spend the night in which of the following places?

5. In lines 936 and 937 of "Pale Fire" the phrase "I plow Old Zembla's fields" is used by John Shade as part of a metaphor for what literal activity?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe John Shade's daughter.

2. Does it surprise you that John Shade renounces religion yet he wants to believe in the after-life?

3. Briefly describe the supernatural occurrences in Canto Two.

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

5. What was the original use of the secret passageway in the Zemblan castle? Where does it lead?

6. What is Kinbote's secret?

7. Cite an early clue that Charles Kinbote is an unreliable narrator.

8. Briefly describe John and Sybil Shade's relationship.

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

10. What does John Shade ponder in the beginning of Canto Two?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Charles Kinbote is clearly infatuated with John Shade. What do you think Shade's feeling are towards Kinbote in general?

If you were John Shade, how would you react to Kinbote's commentary on "Pale Fire"?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, the game of chess reappears in various scenes, and is played by a variety of characters.

Cite specific examples Nabokov uses of the game of chess throughout the novel.

Why do you think Nabokov chooses to incorporate the game of chess into the novel the way he does?

Essay Topic 3

On pages 100-107 in the commentary on line 71: Parents, Kinbote describes King Alfin the Vague.

Compare what is known of Kinbote to this point in the story with his portrayal of King Alfin.

What function or functions does King Alfin serve?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 750 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample