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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. Charles Kinbote wants the reader to see the image of who/what after reading the lines 131-132, "I was the waxing slain by feigned remoteness in the windowpane?"

2. Which of the following best describes a recurring theme in the first Canto?

3. After King Charles is out of the mountains, he receives a message to go to which of the following locations?

4. 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?

5. John Shade vows to further explore what in Canto Two?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe John Shade's daughter.

2. Give a brief synopsis of King Charles' escape.

3. What events lead to the death of John Shade's daughter?

4. Briefly describe Fleur.

5. How are Gradus and Kinbote similar?

6. Give examples from the text of reasons that the Extremists are unable to find King Charles once he escapes.

7. What do we learn about John Shade's Aunt Maud in Canto One?

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

9. What are two major criticisms John Shade has of his students? How is this ironic?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the commentary to Line 171 Gradus, the assassin, is said to have had a job at a glass factory.

Could this be a figment of Charles Kinbote's imagination, and if so why would Kinbote make up such a job for the assassin?

Why do you think Nabokov chose to have Kinbote give Gradus this job?

Why does Nabokov choose to have Kinbote portray Gradus as a failure at this job?

Does it matter if Gradus really had such a job?

Use specific examples from the text to support your claims.

Essay Topic 2

Compare Kinbote's actions to those of Gradus. How are these two characters similar?

Why do you think Kinbote describes Gradus the way he does in the commentary to Line 171?

Do you find this description ironic? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Reflection is a major motif of the fictional poem "Pale Fire," and in the novel's commentary and foreword.

Give specific examples of Nabokov's use of reflection as it pertains to looking back at past events?

How does Nabokov use reflection in terms of mirror images or opposites?

How do these two interpretations of reflection work together in Shade's writing, and Kinbote's commentary?

(see the answer keys)

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