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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 Pnin begin reading in his favorite spot after he talks to the librarian?

2. What brings Pnin to tears at the end of Chapter 3?

3. What does Pnin ask the librarian in Chapter 3?

4. What does Pnin recommend Laurence get, telling him he will not regret it?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Pnin meet and marry Liza?

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

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

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

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

8. What poem does Pnin discuss with his class in Chapter 3?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Pnin tells many stories throughout the action of the main story. Explore the author's use of the literary device story-within-a-story in the novel "Pnin".

Part 1) Is the author using stories-within-a-story to parody views of the world?

Part 2) Is the author using stories-within-a-story to give background about particular characters or events?

Part 3) How is this literary device effective in the novel "Pnin"?

(see the answer keys)

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