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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. Which of the following best describes the queen's initial feeling about King Charles when they meet after his escape?

2. Who does Kinbote blame for taking John Shade away from religion?

3. According to Kinbote, what is the best part of Canto Four?

4. Kinbote fills in a blank space in "Pale Fire" with what name?

5. Which of the following does Kinbote discuss in this section?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Kinbote think about John Shade's lack of religion?

2. Why does Kinbote embrace organized religion?

3. What do you think of Kinbote's disregard for psychoanalysis?

4. How does Kinbote respond when a professor tells him he looks like King Charles? Why might he react that way?

5. Briefly summarize the conversation Kinbote overhears between Shade and Mrs. Hurley, and its relevance to "Pale Fire."

6. Why does Kinbote insist on meeting Shade on July 19th?

7. Give a brief account of the events involving Disa and King Charles after the revolution.

8. What does Kinbote relate to the death of Hazel?

9. How does Kinbote describe the Russian guards who are after the Zemblan Crown Jewels?

10. What is odd about the way Kinbote tells the story of Gradus?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the way Nabokov uses flashbacks in the novel Pale Fire. How many instances are there? How do flashbacks help propel the plot? How would this story have been different if it were written in present tense?

Essay Topic 2

Make a list of names Charles Kinbote attributes to people and places in Zembla.

What do you notice about these names?

What do these names tell us about Kinbote, and potentially about Zembla?

Why do you think Nabokov chose to name these places the way he did?

Essay Topic 3

Using specific examples from the novel, compile the verses of poetry that were omitted from the poem "Pale Fire."

Why do you think Nabokov chooses to include these verses in the novel, but not the poem?

(see the answer keys)

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