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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 does the professor, who Pnin decides to track down in Chapter 3, teach at the college?

2. How old was Pnin when he left his home country?

3. What was Liza's profession when she met Pnin?

4. Whom does Pnin want to rent a room from in Chapter 2?

5. One day, in Chapter 3, Pnin finds the house completely to himself. Where have the Clementses gone?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Pnin act when he is drinking? Describe in detail.

2. What does Pnin tell Joan about his background in Chapter 2?

3. What does Pnin discover from the librarian that is surprising to him in Chapter 3?

4. Why does Pnin seek out Oleg Komarov in Chapter 3?

5. What does Pnin have a fascination with, like many Russians, that gets him lost?

6. What procedure does Pnin have done in Chapter 2 that leaves him very pleased?

7. What does Pnin almost encounter when he comes down the stairs during the Clementses' party in Chapter 2?

8. How does Laurence Clements feel about Pnin staying in his house?

9. Why has the daughter of Laurence and Joan Clements left home, and what do they now have available?

10. Why has Pnin always been a constant mover?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the character of Victor, and examine how he affects Pnin's life.

Part 1) What kind of person is Victor? What are his strengths and weaknesses?

Part 2) How has Victor affected Pnin?

Part 3) What kind of relationship do Pnin and Victor have?

Essay Topic 2

The story of Pnin can be enhanced by learning about the author of the book. Research the author Vladimir Nabokov, comparing him to the character of Professor Timofey Pnin. How are Pnin and Nabokov similar? How are Pnin and Nabokov different? Why would Nabokov write a book that clearly is very related to his own life? How is "Pnin" an indicator of Nabokov's life as an immigrant?

Essay Topic 3

The setting in "Pnin" is important to the tone and shape of the story. Analyze the use of setting in "Pnin". How did Vladimir Nabokov describe his setting? How is the setting almost considered a character in the story? How is Pnin's social environment considered a part of the setting?

(see the answer keys)

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