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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. Where is M. Othon quarantined?

2. What error does Rieux think he has made?

3. How is Rambert's wife arriving?

4. Who is now an important plague victim?

5. What is the prime factor in his decision?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is it possible for Cottard to help Rambert?

2. Why cannot jubilation be complete at this point (Part 5 Chapter 1)?

3. What changes does the plague seem to be undergoing?

4. In what ways do Tarrou's plague symptoms first appear?

5. What is the reason for Rambert's decision?

6. How can we tell that Tarrou is a force for good in the town?

7. Explain the significance of The Plague's final paragraph.

8. Account for the difference tenor and content of Fr Paneloux's new sermon, compared with that he gave at the conclusion of the Week of Prayer.

9. What is the effect of the child's death upon the other characters?

10. What is unusual about Tarrou's illness?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, Dr. Rieux has had to deal with scarcely imaginable tragedy in the wider community. At the very end, when he reasonably expected to return to a normal life, he is hit with personal trady in the deaths of his friend Tarrou and then of his beloved wife. Why is Rieux able to survive all this? What ideas and attitudes does the character of Dr. Rieux symbolise? What does he show to us about the human spirit? Write a thoughtful, detailed essay drawing on the novel as a whole.

Essay Topic 2

The Plague includes conflict between certain ideologies and world views. For example, between those who do not believe in Christianity (like Dr. Rieux) and those who do. There is also action that represents the conflict between the interests of the individual and those of society. Select an area of ideological conflict that interests you and discuss the way this is represented in The Plague. Is the conflict resolved?

Essay Topic 3

Usually in a novel there is a network of conflict between characters. While some of this happens in The Plague (think of Rambert's efforts to escape the city), it is minimal. What is the source of conflict in The Plague? Is it internal, external or a combination? How does this conflict arise and how is it worked out?

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