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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 does the boy's mother want him to do?

2. What has Ana's uncle taught her about forgiveness?

3. Where is Juan planning on staying while in Comala?

4. What does Galileo tell his brother-in-law he needs in order to pay off his debt?

5. What do Juan and the burro driver have in common?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Juan Preciado hope to accomplish by finding his father?

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

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

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

5. Describe the road to Comala.

6. How do Pedro and Dolores part ways?

7. How is Comala different from how Juan's mother describes it?

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

9. What does Damiana tell Juan about Comala?

10. Describe the encounter between Father Rentería and María Dyada after Eduviges' death.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Don Pedro is a complex character. When the reader is introduced to him as a young boy, he is dreamy, innocent, and consumed with love for Susana. Over time, however, we see Pedro commit evil acts without regards to the feeling of others. Based on what you know about tragic heroes,do consider Pedro a tragic figure? Why or why not? Use specific examples from the text and compose an essay addressing the following aspects of his character:

- How do Pedro's emotions affect his actions?

- How do Fulgor's dealings with Pedro show the dual nature of Pedro's character?

- How does Pedro's reactions to Toribio and El Tilucate reveal his dual nature?

- What do you think is behind his unethical behavior? Why does he do the things that he does?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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