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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. Who is too smart to get caught red-handed?

2. Why does Pascali want to travel to Stambul?

3. To what predicament do Pascali's thoughts return?

4. From where does Zeki Bey think the rebels obtain money?

5. Of what is Pascali now convinced?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the presentation of the wax figure of the Saint and how you might interpret this event.

2. What is the meaning of the phrase utriusque capex and how can this ability be useful to a spy?

3. What historical event is introduced in this section and how is it linked symbolically to the major plot?

4. How does Pascali represent the theme of violence symbolically?

5. What seems to suggest that Bowles knows more about the local situation than he pretends?

6. What are some signs of the high level of tension present on the island?

7. What is one theme that seems to be developing in this section?

8. What does Lydia report about the Sultan and how does this report impact Pascali?

9. What are some of the signs of violence/tension that seem just below the surface in Pascali?

10. How might Pascali actually be creating a wall between him and the townspeople and then misinterpreting the townspeople's actions?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of morality is introduced in Section 2 and is an integral part of understanding both the characters and the plot. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. How would you define morality as it is used in this novel?

2. Do all the characters have the same definition of morality? How do the characters differ in the way they perceive morality and in how they perceive themselves as moral people?

3. How important is it to Bowles, Lydia, Pascali and Gesing that they are perceived as moral people? Give examples to illustrate each person's belief. How important is it to each of those characters that they are actually moral people? Is there a discrepancy? Why do you think this is?

Essay Topic 2

In Section 15, when Pascali is assisting Bowles in digging out the statue, Pascali realizes that, for the first time, he and Bowles are friends, working together for a single goal. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text, your research or personal experience:

1. What goes on between the two men as they are working that changes Pascali's view of Bowles? Do you think this view is just temporary? Why or why not? What about the two men's characters enable them to shift from one way of relating to a different one so easily?

2. Sometimes when two people or groups begin to communicate who they really are, a shifting of viewpoints takes place and former hostility and enmity can be transformed. Discuss this idea first from your personal experience and then in taking a current hostile situation and discuss how this idea could change the situation--this can be hostility between kids at the school you attend (for example, athletes versus "nerds"), your community, town, city, country or country versus country or ethnic group versus ethnic group.

3. What do you think shifts that enables Pascali to betray Bowles? Was Pascali only pretending friendship at the evacuation site? What did you think about the portrayal of these two men as friends and then Pascali turning around and setting up the circumstances of Bowles's death? Did this change your opinion of Pascali? Did you admire him less? Like him less? What do you think Pascali thought about himself after that?

Essay Topic 3

In Section 10, as Pascali walks to the meeting with Izzet for payment, he smells the blood of the sheep slaughter and reflects that he himself feared this death until recently. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text, your research or personal experience:

1. There are often meanings in a sentence or word that have what is called a "double entendre" or "adianoeta" (a lesser-used word). The double entendre of the phrase "blood of the sheep slaughter and reflects that he himself feared this death until recently" is quite subtle. How do you think this description has a double entendre? Explain.

2. Find a few examples throughout the book of words and/or phrases that can have a double entendre. Cite each one and the meanings the phrase can have. How does a double entendre enhance the scene, dialog, or meaning?

3. Can you think of instances in your life when you say something that means two different things? What are some examples of double entendre you have used in your own life?

4. What other author have you read that tends to use the double entendre (think Shakespeare, many poets, etc...)? Find examples find some other works and discuss them.

(see the answer keys)

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