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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. Why does Eduviges feel she must take care of Juan?

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

3. What does Damiana do when she happens upon a wake?

4. Where is Doña Eduviges' house located?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain Miguel Paramo's fate.

2. What is Dorotea's first dream?

3. Why does don Pedro want to marry Dolores?

4. How do Pedro and Dolores part ways?

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

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

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

8. What does the woman tell Juan about nights in Comala?

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

10. Why does Fulgor end up working with don Pedro even after don Lucas' death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dolores is a conflicted character. Originally she is in love with Pedro and excited to learn he wants to marry her, but she soon becomes disenchanted with her life with him.

- What causes Dolores' change of heart?

- Dolores tells Juan not to ask his father for anything, but also to make him pay. Explain what you think she means by this. What do you think Dolores actually wants Juan to do? Using examples from the text explain why you think this.

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

One of the themes that runs through the novel is the nature of redemption and hope in a person's life. Select one of the following characters and explain what gives them hope during their lives:

- Juan

- Pedro

- Susana

- Dolores

- Dorotea

Address how (or if) they are able to find any sort of redemption in the afterlife. How do you know this from the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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