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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 Herr Gesing?

2. What does Bowles say about any nation who puts self-interest before morality?

3. What does the sound of bleating sheep mean to Pascali as he is walking?

4. What does Pascali say the Sultan needs?

5. Who is uneasy in Lydia's world?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Name a metaphor or symbol that occurs in this section and what it represents.

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

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

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

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

9. Discuss the theme of jealousy as it particularly applies to 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 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

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 3

In section 8, at the church, the wax figure of the Saint is brought forward covered by a curtain, where priests prepare him for the reenactment of the Ascension. When the curtain is drawn back, the statue is standing, clothed in robes as has been enacted for years. However, on this day, something has gone wrong and the statue suddenly falls forward, striking the concrete and beheads itself. Choose one of the following and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. In addition to much symbolism in this novel, there are also a number of metaphors. Define metaphor and symbolism and compare the two using specific examples both from the book and other sources. Which do you feel is more effective? Which seems better at expressing the idea of an abstract concept? Why would you use one over the other--give specific examples.

2. For what do you think this scene is a metaphor? Explain using specific examples. Does the metaphor work for you?

3. Write a real or hypothetical situation in your personal experience that includes one or more abstract concepts and then create a metaphor to express that experience. Next, choose a way to use symbolism in the telling of the experience. Which way seems more effective at portraying the experience?

(see the answer keys)

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