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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. What does the crumbling island seem like a metaphor for to Pascali?

2. Whose name is spoken softly to Pasha?

3. In what areas of Pascali's life is he capable of going both ways (utriusque capex)?

4. What does Pascali observe Bowles doing?

5. What does Pascali believe about humankind?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In continuing his report to the Sultan, what parallels does Pascali note?

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

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

5. How does the conversation at dinner reveal much about some of the characters?

6. What does Bowles ostensibly say is his interest in the Sanctuary of Artemis?

7. How do Bowles and Pascali view Lydia's painting differently and what surprises Pascali about the way Lydia and Bowles discuss art?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pascali is constantly projecting personality traits, beliefs, or motives upon other characters. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text, your research or personal experience:

1. What does it mean to project motives or traits upon someone else? Give a couple examples from your own experience when you or someone you know has projected a motive, trait, or belief upon someone else.

2. Name four instances when Pascali projects personality traits, beliefs, or motives upon other characters. How accurate is he?

3. Why do you think Pascali projects personality traits, beliefs, or motives upon other characters? How can projecting cause one to be taken off guard by someone some day? Does that happen in the case of Pascali?

Essay Topic 2

In Section 16, the final section of the book, Pascali ends his report with a rather horrific recounting of the deaths of Bowles, Lydia, Smith and six others. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text, your research or personal experience:

1. Do you think Bowles, Lydia and Smith and the workers deserve their fates? Why or why not?

2. Would Bowles have still attempted to steal the statue had he known there was the possibility of it ending as it did? What might Bowles has said to Lydia with his dying breath? Is he responsible for her death? Or is she totally responsible by the choices she makes?

3. Who is most to blame for all these death? Pasha? Bowles? The Rebels? Pascali? Or is each of them partially to blame? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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