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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 has Ana's uncle taught her about forgiveness?

2. Why can't the boy's family buy a new mill?

3. Why does Pedro say he loves Dolores?

4. Who does don Pedro owe the most money to?

5. What does Osorio tell Dolores she must not do on her wedding night?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Pedro and Dolores part ways?

2. Describe the road to Comala.

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

4. What does the woman tell Juan about the roads leaving from Comala?

5. Describe the memory Pedro has of Susana as he sits in the privy.

6. What is the deal that Abundio and Eduviges make?

7. What does Damiana tell Juan about Comala?

8. Why does Juan's mother hate having her picture taken?

9. Why are the two women that Juan encounters in the street worried?

10. How does the woman explain her sin during confession?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rulfo uses the historical context of the 1910-1920 Mexican Civil War to frame his novel. Based on what you learn about the Revolution and on your reading of the novel, do you think this revolution is a true revolution of the peasants or is it based on other less lofty ideals? Explain Pedro's, El Tilcuate's and Father Rentería's role in the Revolution. What does each of their roles in the Revolution reveal about their character?

Essay Topic 2

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 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)

This section contains 778 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample