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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. According to the woman Anodos meets at the farmhouse, what does he have in common with other men who have passed by the farmhouse as they leave the forest?

2. After Anodos learns about the inhabitants of the forest, what does he do?

3. What does the shadow affect when it sends out arm-like extensions?

4. In the story Anodos retells about women with wings, what is the woman who finds a snowdrop flower looking for?

5. What is peculiar to Anodos about the sounds of the woods?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the relationship between the borders of Anodos' real world and the borders of his fantasy world?

2. Why do you think the author chose to have the secretary desk in a dark room which has been closed for a long time?

3. What does Anodos' experience with the Maiden of the Alder show him about Fairy Land?

4. How does Anodos show his immaturity when he awakens the stone maiden?

5. Why do you think the old woman refuses to tell the truth of the woods to Anodos?

6. How does Anodos' childlike innocence help him as he travels through Fairy Land?

7. How does Anodos allow himself to be controlled by nature and what are the results?

8. Why do you think Anodos' father made provisions for Anodos to inherit the secretary desk?

9. What comment is the author making about Phantastes when he describes Anodos' reaction to the books he reads in the Fairy Palace library?

10. How does Anodos react when he sees the open field from the room in which he sleeps at the farmhouse?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What clues or hints did the author provide that helped prepare you for the ending of the story? Did you think these clues were important as you read the story? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Choose a situation in the story in which Anodos acted in a way you disagree with. Describe the situation. Why did Anodos act this way? What were the consequences of his actions? Why do you disagree with Anodos' reaction to the situation? How would you have reacted? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Why did George MacDonald choose Phantastes for the title of the novel? Why do you think he chose to begin the title with the letters "Ph" rather than "F"? Give examples from the book that explain the title. Do you think the title fits the book? Why or why not? If you could give the book a different title, what would it be? Give reasons for your answer.

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