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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 Grand taken for treatment?

2. What is at the core of Rambert's problem?

3. How is Tarrou reminded of his mother?

4. What is the situation with food supply?

5. What does Rieux do with Grand's manuscript?

Short Essay Questions

1. What choice does Rambert make in Part 4 Chapter 2?

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

3. Account for Cottard's behavior in Part 5 Chapter 5.

4. 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.

5. Do you think Dr. Castel's serum is likely to be of help?

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

7. What sort of man was Jean Tarrou's father?

8. What is the significance of M. Grand's struggle against the plague in Part 4 Chapter 7?

9. Explain the poignancy of Dr. Rieux's walk through the streets.

10. Has Cottard really gained from his profiteering during the plague?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose two characters from the novel, one appealing, the other not so. Compare and contrast these two characters, referring closely to the text.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

'Camus' novel The Plague shows us a hero who isn't exactly heroic.' Do you agree or disagree? What is the conventional idea of 'the hero' and does Dr. Rieux fit in with that idea? Discuss the kinds of heroism depicted in the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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