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

2. How does Mrs. Clements react to Laurence not wanting Pnin to stay in their house?

3. In Chapter 2, whom does Mrs. Clements invite Pnin to meet which he declines?

4. What does Pnin lose while he looks up the proper pronunciation of a word in the dictionary?

5. What is Laurence Clements wife's name?

Short Essay Questions

1. What word does Pnin look up in the dictionary and why?

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

3. Where is Pnin headed at the beginning of Chapter 1?

4. What happens during Pnin's class that is embarrassing in Chapter 3?

5. What happens to Pnin at the bus station that has been happening since he was a child?

6. What is an example of one of Pnin's less pleasant quirks? Describe in detail.

7. How does Pnin meet and marry Liza?

8. What subject does Pnin have no desire to teach?

9. How well does Pnin speak English? Describe in detail.

10. Where is Pnin a professor at in Chapter 1?

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

One theme in the novel "Pnin" is his strict adherence to his daily routine. Examine the theme of routine in Pnin's life exploring how it affects the overall novel. What does Pnin do every day? What does Pnin's precise routine say about his character and personality? How does Pnin's daily routine affect the overall tone of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the character of Liza and her overall affect on Pnin's life. What kind of person is Liza? Did she truly ever love Pnin or was she always using him? Why can't Pnin see Liza for what she truly is? How does Pnin behave when he is around Liza? Is Liza a good influence on Pnin?

(see the answer keys)

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