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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 is don Pedro going to do with his papers since his lawyer won't take them?

2. Where do don Pedro and Fulgor send Susana's father?

3. What does Dorotea say Susana does, "even when she is alive"?

4. Why does Susana tell Justina she can't leave?

5. How does Fulgor try to deal with the accusations of murder against Miguel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when the revolutionaries come to don Pedro's house?

2. What is unusual about Susana's reaction to her mother's death?

3. What happens between don Pedro and Damiana when she is a girl?

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

5. How does don Pedro deal with Susana's death?

6. Why don't the men of Comala come to the marketplace?

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

8. How does don Pedro deal with the news of Miguel's crimes?

9. What frustrates don Pedro about Susana?

10. What deal does don Pedro make with Susana's father?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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