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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. To whom is Pascali writing?

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

3. With whom does Pascali notice Bowles having a growing relationship?

4. How has Mahmoud Pasha been inadvertently contributing to the rebel cause?

5. What is the motivating factor in Izzet agreeing to meet with Bowles?

Short Essay Questions

1. Of what do you think the discussion of morality and self-preservation might be symbolic?

2. What is a theme that predominates this section?

3. How does the conversation between Lydia and Pascali about the fisherman show that Lydia is lying?

4. Why is Pascali very careful about how he describes Bowles to Izzet?

5. How is the symbolism of the sky and sea used again in this chapter?

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

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

10. Discuss the theme of jealousy as it particularly applies to Pascali.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Section 15, Pascali realizes Bowles believes himself to be on a mission from a higher power and that the balance between his zest for archeology and his drive for financial gain has broken, leaving him nearly insane Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text, your research or personal experience:

1. Pascali makes a pretty astute observation about Bowles. What do you think the phrase means--the balance between his zest for archeology and his drive for financial gain has broken leaving him [Bowles] nearly insane. Give examples from the entire book that has lead up to this moment.

2. In "real" life, most of us are at times driven to compromise between two things--sometimes both seem to be necessary evils; sometime one seems necessary, but it conflicts with something else that is only wanted; sometimes it can be a conflict between two things you want, neither which are essential for health and well being. Write about a time in your life when you were torn between two things, both of which you wanted, but which if one was achieved, the other had to be compromised or abandoned.

3. Do you think many people who "go off the deep end" and commit such horrible acts as mass shootings are people who are extremely conflicted by warring wants/natures? Discuss this idea using specific examples.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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