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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 needs Pascali's translation services?

2. By whom is Pasha's offer of friendship interrupted?

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

4. For what does Pascali blame the Sultan?

5. What does Pascali say the Sultan needs?

Short Essay Questions

1. Of what does Pascali warn the Sultan, which taken in historical retrospect is "bad advice"?

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

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

4. Of what does the fact that Bowles is walking and talking with Pascali in public remind Pascali?

5. How is the theme of deceit demonstrated by Bowles during the transaction with Pasha?

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

7. If you were receiving Pascali's spy reports, how would you treat them?

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

9. What is a theme that predominates this section?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Greed informs the actions of many of the characters and ultimately leads to the actual deaths of several of them. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text, your research or personal experience:

1. List the major characters in order of how greedy they seem to be; include Pascali, Bowles, Lydia, Pasha, Izzet, and Smith--and any others you choose. How does greed affect each character?

2. Why do you put whoever you chose in the position of being the greediest? The least greedy? Do you consider any of the major characters as not having any inclinations towards greed? Why or why not?

3. Do you think any of these characters are justified in being greedy? Why or why not? Is greed EVER justified? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

In Section 9, the symbolic representation of Bowles' arm and Lydia's body as they made love in Pascali's memory shows Pascali's belief that Bowles and he are unique in their ability to blend reality with lies. 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 the ability to blend reality with lies is unique to Pascali and Bowles in the novel? Who else do you think has this ability? Is it an ability? A defect in character? A psychological problem?

2. How about in "real" life--do you know people who blend reality with lies? Give some examples when you have encountered someone who does this. Did it make you distrust the person?

3. Is there ever a good reason to blend reality with lies? What about for emotional protection when a child is in an abusive situation? Ultimately who is most harmed by someone who blends reality with lies--the one doing it or the one who believes the person? Or both?

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