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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 criticism is made of Fr Paneloux after the sermon?

2. What is the situation with food supply?

3. What is Rieux's opinion about the case?

4. Why does Rieux weep?

5. Where is M. Othon quarantined?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are local printing firms and newspapers able to profit by people's fear of the plague?

2. What do you think has led Dr. Rieux to unburden himself to Grand?

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

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

5. What is Tarrou's philosophy?

6. In what way is Cottard shown to be different from other characters in The Plague?

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

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

9. What gives the people cause for hope in Part 5 Chapter 1?

10. In Part 4 Chapter 3, what is the situation regarding the plague serum?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify the sub-plots in The Plague. These concern the stories of certain characters. In an essay, show how the stories of characters compel us to be interested in the main plot--the struggle against the antagonist, which is the plague itself.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Imagine that you are a member of a school board. Some of the board members wish to remove The Plague by Albert Camus from the school district's reading program as they claim it is too depressing for students and is, furthermore, anti-Christian. Compose the speech you will deliver to defend teaching the novel. What does it contain that is of value to American students?

(see the answer keys)

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