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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 does Pascali follow?

2. Who said that motion its self is an illusion.

3. What does Pascali see about the papers on the desk?

4. What is the current environment on the island like?

5. To whom is Pascali writing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Give a brief analysis of the character of Pascali.

2. How is the concept of lighting discussed and interpreted by Pascali

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

4. What are some images that seem to suggest the violence that is simmering just below the surface on this island?

5. What is a theme that predominates this section?

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

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

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

9. What are some clues that Pascali thinks he has inadvertently given as to his status as a spy?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The characters in Pascali's Island are the central focus of the novel; in other words, the characters drive the plot rather than the other way around as is the case in some novels. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Write an in-depth character analysis of Pascali. Include a physical description, personality traits, and what beliefs motivate him. What do you like and dislike about this character? Why? Give specific examples.

2. Write an in-depth character analysis of Bowles. Include a physical description, personality traits, and what beliefs motivate him. What do you like and dislike about this character? Why? Give specific examples.

3. Choose three other characters besides Pascali or Bowles and write about them in relationship to both Bowles and Pascali. Are they friendly or hostile to either main character? Explain with examples. What is their purpose(s) in the story?

Essay Topic 2

As the novel opens and then moves along to its conclusion, some characters seem to be more different from each other than first appears and some seem more alike to each other than first appears. Choose one of the following and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Compare the character of Pascali from who he seems to be during the first six sections to the person Pascali seems to be in sections 7-16. How is he alike? How different? Which "person" do you like the best? Why? How is Pascali more alike and more different from Bowles at the end then at the beginning?

2. Compare the character of Bowles from who he seems to be during the first seven sections to the person Bowles seems to be in sections 7-16. How is he alike? How different? Which "person" do you like the best? Why? How is Bowles more alike and more different from Pascali at the end then at the beginning?

3. Compare and contrast Lydia, Dr. Hogan, Izzet, and Herr Gesing from who they seem to be when they are first introduced to who they are revealed to be by the end of the story. How much do they either change or become who they really are? Who did you like at first and then dislike by the end of the story--and vice versa?

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of themes that run as a thread throughout the novel. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Trace the development of the political theme. Use specific examples to illustrate how this theme is expressed. Analyze the examples and offer an analysis of the existing political situation during this novel.

2. Trace the development of the theme of duality. Use specific examples to illustrate how this theme is expressed. Analyze the examples and offer an analysis of the how the concept of duality manifest in character personalities and in the physical setting.

3. Trace the development of the theme of deception. Use specific examples to illustrate how this theme is expressed. Analyze the examples and offer an analysis as to why this theme is central to the novel's plot.

(see the answer keys)

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