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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 place are the people who are lost looking for when they stop by the home of the man and the woman?

2. What does the burro driver tell Juan is "a plague that takes over a person's house the minute they leave"?

3. How long have the man and woman been in Comala?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Dorotea's second dream?

3. How do Pedro and Dolores part ways?

4. Describe the relationship between don Pedro and Dolores.

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

6. What does Damiana tell Juan about Comala?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Pedro Páramo" has several structural elements that appear often in Modernist and Surrealist literature. Explain how the novel uses the following:

- Circular narrative

- Stories within stories

- Setting shifts

How do each of these contribute to the development of the plot.

Essay Topic 2

Eduviges tells Juan that the secret of redemption is to die "when you want to" or else to force God "to take you before your time".

- Why do you think she says this?

- Much of the plot is developed through the stories of the dead. Why do you think Rulfo has ghosts tell the stories? What can we learn from the past? How does this relate to Eduviges' advice?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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