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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 happens to Miguel's mother?

2. Who owns the store that Abundio goes into?

3. Where does Father Rentería go on his walk after Miguel's death?

4. What is don Lucas doing when he is killed?

5. What does Abundio want from don Pedro?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn't don Pedro's lawyer continue holding his papers after he leaves?

2. Describe the night Susana learns of Florencio's death.

3. Why does Dorotea say she is no longer interested in the sky?

4. Why does don Pedro want Susana's father to disappear in the mines?

5. What does Justina tell Susana she is going to tell don Pedro when he comes?

6. Why does Susana think Father Rentería has come to see her?

7. What does doña Inés want Abundio to tell his dead wife?

8. What does Gerardo's wife tell him before he visits don Pedro?

9. Why do Angeles and Fausta think Susana doesn't need confess her sins?

10. How does Fulgor compare Miguel to don Pedro?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 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)

This section contains 850 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample