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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. How soon after Mrs. Clements tells Pnin he can stay at their house does Pnin arrive?

2. What country did Pnin leave right before coming to America?

3. As a teacher, how would Pnin be described?

4. In Chapter 3, how long has Pnin now been staying with the Clementses?

5. Like many people from his home country, with what does Pnin have a fascination?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Pnin so horrified at the possibility of losing his suitcase in Chapter 1?

2. Describe Pnin's fellow professor, Oleg Komarov.

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

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

5. How does Liza use Pnin to get to America?

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

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

8. What other people occupy Pnin's coach on the train in Chapter 1?

9. What happens when Pnin calls the Clementses to rent the room in their house?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author gives many details about Pnin's personality through description and with flashbacks. Analyze the use of flashbacks used in the novel "Pnin". How does the use of flashbacks help to develop the characters? Are the flashbacks used in "Pnin" important for the development of his character? Are flashbacks confusing or helpful?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

In Chapter Four, the author makes a subtle satire of science. Satire is mainly a literary genre or structure. Examine the use of satire in the novel "Pnin". How does the author use satire with science and why? What point is the author trying to make? How does the use of satire affect the overall tone of the story?

(see the answer keys)

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