View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What does the woman tell Juan to drink?

3. What does the old woman get from under the bed while Donis and his sister are out of the house?

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

5. What does Juan think his mother dies of?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Eduviges and Dolorita promise to die together?

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

3. What is Dorotea's second dream?

4. How does Fulgor get Dolores to agree to marry Pedro?

5. What does Damiana tell Juan about Comala?

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

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

8. Why does don Pedro want to marry Dolores?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The women in the novel are very vulnerable characters who often are at the mercy of evil, controlling men. Select at least three of the following characters and analyze their place in the context of the novel:

- Dolores

- Eduviges

- Susana

- Damiana

- Donis' sister

Addressing the following questions:

- How does the character react to her fate?

- How is the character motivated by factors related to her gender?

- How do other characters treat her?

- Overall, do you think women are totally powerless in the novel? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The point of view in the novel changes often from 1st person narration to third person. Find at least one example each of first person narration and third person narration and explain how it shifts the reader's attention to the character and plot. Make sure you indicate who the narrator is in the first person example. In the first person example, what does the reader know (or suspect) that the narrator does not?

Essay Topic 3

Sorrow is seen as an omnipresent and necessary part of life in Comala. Explain the characters' experience of sorrow in each of the following examples:

- Susana's mourning of Florencio

- Dorotea's sorrow over her unborn child

- Pedro's mourning over Susana

- Abundio's mourning over his wife

What are the consequences of each of these losses? How does the sorrow affect the lives of the ones left living? Would you agree that sorrow is necessary in life? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 836 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample