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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 the main topic of letter 34?

2. What do the wives who are not beaten believe in Nargum's letter?

3. Who wrote letter 10 to Usbek?

4. How did the society in letters 10 to 14 fare after it stabilized?

5. What does the Mullah advise Usbek to refer to to find answers to his questions in letter 17?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is powerless according to Rica in Letter 71 and why?

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

3. Why does Usbek think Christians are not good Christians or even citizens in letter 44?

4. What does Usbek encourage the eunuch to do according to letter 1?

5. Why are the women described by Rica in letter 23 against the Constitution?

6. Why do women gamble in France according to Usbek?

7. Why is Pharan complaining in letter 40?

8. What irony does Usbek point out to Rhedi in letter 102?

9. What does the Mullah suggest Usbek do in his letter?

10. What problem does the University of Paris face, and what example of the problem does Usbek give?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Montesquieu uses personification in his description of justice. In an essay, define personification and analyze why Montesquieu uses personification to write about justice. Students should use examples from the book to support their discussion.

Essay Topic 3

In Persian Letters, there is a strong emphasis on the formation of character, whether through religion or learning. In an essay, analyze the correlation made between the study of science and the destruction of man, giving examples of how learning, particularly the study of science might harm man.

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This section contains 659 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample