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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 tells Juan to go to Comala?

2. What does Juan's tossing and turning remind the woman of?

3. Who tells Juan where to stay while in Comala?

4. Where is Miguel's spirit been seen in the first days after his death?

5. How does Dolores say she will tell her sister about her upcoming wedding?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the two men who Juan hears in the street discussing?

2. What does the burro driver tell Juan about how don Pedro treats women?

3. What does the woman think is wrong with the other woman?

4. Why is Father Rentería conflicted after Miguel's death?

5. What clues are you given as to the boy's family's financial situation?

6. Why does María Dyada believe that her sister Eduviges is worthy of redemption?

7. What is Dorotea's second dream?

8. What does Damiana tell Juan about Comala?

9. What is Dorotea's first dream?

10. How does what happens to Toribio Aldrete confirm don Pedro's immoral behavior?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Susana represents two sides of our natures: the physical and the spiritual, the body versus the soul. Susana rejects the spiritual realm and instead revels in sensual, corporeal pleasures and sensations. Give at least three examples of the text where Susana remembers a physical, bodily experience. How does her nature affect her fate? Do you think her sensual nature is at all to blame for the nature of her relationship with Pedro? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Pedro has very different relationships with the three sons that we meet in the novel: Juan, Abundio, and Miguel. Compare and contrast his relationship with his three sons. Address the following:

- Legitimate versus illegitimate status

- Are his sons good or evil?

- How has being the son of Pedro Páramo affected each son's life for better or worse?

After comparing and contrasting the relationship Pedro has with his three sons, explain whether or not you think Pedro is a truly evil father? Does he do anything right? Using clues from the text, describe what you think Pedro's relationship is like with his own father? How do you think this affects his relationship with his own sons?

Essay Topic 3

Explain why you think "Pedro Páramo" is an example of Magical Realism. Using specific examples of the text, address the following themes:

- Use of the supernatural

- Realistic aspects

- Extraordinary occurring at the same time as the ordinary

Explain why you think Rulfo uses this style to tell his story. What does the Magical Realism genre allow him to do as an author?

(see the answer keys)

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