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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 Victor, the son of Liza Wind, fantasize about to escape the boredom of his everyday life at school?

2. In Chapter 6, what university does Pnin learn his friend tried to get him a position at?

3. After everyone leaves Pnin's housewarming, what does he immediately begin to do?

4. At the end of Chapter 6, what is Pnin worried that he broke while cleaning up after the housewarming party?

5. In Chapter 5, what do Pnin and the person he runs into before going on a swim talk about?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Dr. Wind and Liza feel about their son?

2. Who are a few of the people who are attending the party in Chapter 5 with whom Pnin is acquainted?

3. Who are some of the people that Pnin invites to his housewarming party in Chapter 6?

4. What do Roza Shpolyanski and Pnin talk about at the party in Chapter 5?

5. Why is Pnin somewhat sad after visiting with Betty Bliss?

6. Why might Pnin's teaching position be in jeopardy at the college?

7. What are the ages of the men and women who are at the party in comparison to Pnin?

8. Where is the cabin located that Pnin is headed to at beginning of Chapter 5, and why is he going there?

9. Who is Al Cook's wife and why do they not have children?

10. How popular are Pnin's classes and how stable is his teaching position?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Pnin has many funny quirks, yet he has fears and some self-confidence issues too. Examine the concepts of fear and self-confidence, exploring how they relate to Pnin. What is the definition of fear? How can having fears affect one's self-confidence? What examples from the book demonstrate what Pnin fears? Would Pnin be considered a self-confident man? Where in the book does Pnin demonstrate his self-confidence, almost to his detriment?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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