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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 Usbek request of his correspondent in the 1st letter?

2. What is powerless according to Rica in letter 71?

3. What does Rustan write to Usbek about the community's view on Usbek's trip?

4. Which of Usbek's wives writes the 3rd letter back to him?

5. Who wrote letter 10 to Usbek?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Usbek think of countries that allow discipline of children in letter 78?

2. What is Usbek hoping to achieve with the help of the Mullah according to letter 16?

3. Why did Usbek leave Persia according to letter 8?

4. What fashion do French people prefer and what drawback are they accepting about it in letter 97?

5. What keeps Usbek continually busy according to letter 46?

6. What happens to the head eunuch in letter 141?

7. What is justice according to Usbek in letter 81?

8. What is the Papal Bull silliness according to Usbek in letter 98?

9. What is the relationship between the head eunuch and Jaron, the eunuch Usbeck brought with him according to the supplementary letters?

10. What did the Troglodytes do after fighting their neighbors off?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Persian Letters, the head eunuch writes to Usbek and discusses an arranged marriage or purchasing a woman for Usbek's brother. In an essay, discuss the history of arranged marriage, its potential benefits and drawbacks, as well as why Montesquieu chose to use this in the book. Use examples from the text to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 2

Ubsek discusses the way that religion and government interact and how they may interact in a positive manner. Compare his discussion with common beliefs of the separation of church and state today, then make a conclusion about which argument has more merit.

Essay Topic 3

The Persian Letters uses satire to describe the travels of two Persian brothers, Usbek and Rica. In an essay, define satire and examine Montesquieu's use of satire in the novel and discuss how it benefits the story and character development.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 684 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample