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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 does Pnin feel about Betty Bliss?

2. After showing his students a film, what does Pnin's student, Betty Bliss, remark that he looks like from the film?

3. What does Pnin miss while getting something to eat in Chapter 1?

4. What is the name of the woman who introduces Pnin at the seminar?

5. Of what language is Pnin a professor?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Research the Bolshevik Revolution and study how it could have affected Pnin. What is a revolution? Why did the Bolshevik Revolution happen? What year did the Bolshevik Revolution occur? Who was Vladimir Lenin and what did he have to do with the Bolshevik Revolution? Why would Pnin want to leave Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Compare Victor's relationship with his parents to his relationship with Pnin, examining the differences and similarities. What kind of parents are Dr. Wind and Liza? Does Pnin treat Victor as if he is his own son? How does Victor view Pnin compared to his parents? How does Dr. Wind feel about Pnin and Victor having a relationship?

(see the answer keys)

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