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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. Who does don Pedro summon to see him in order to discuss the revolution?

2. What is in the mine where Bartolomé sends Susana?

3. Who does Fulgor think Miguel has been with?

4. Why don't the women want Susana to die?

5. How many men does don Pedro offer to assist the revolution?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What frustrates don Pedro about Susana?

5. Why does Susana reject Father Rentería in her last living moments?

6. Why does Father Rentería feel guilty about Miguel's crimes?

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

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

9. When the reader first hears Susana's narrative, where does she think she is?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The love relationships between the characters in the novel are depicted both positively and negatively. For each of the following relationships, explain whether you think it is a positive or negative depiction of romantic love:

- Donis and his sister

- Susana and Florencio

- Dolores and Pedro

- Susana and Pedro

- Abundio and his wife

What do you think Rulfo is trying to say about romantic love based on his description of these relationships? Do you think he believes in the power of romantic love to provide solace in people's lives? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Don Pedro and Father Rentería are two different examples of characters dealing with the consequences of their actions. Don Pedro seems to live a guiltless life without regret, while Father Rentería is consumed by guilt. Compare and contrast the two characters based on the following:

- What actions in their lives most affect the two characters?

- How do they deal with the consequences of their actions

- Who do you think is the more sympathetic of the characters? Why?

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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