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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. In Chapter 5, who is the host of the party at the cabin?

2. In Chapter 6, how soon before the party does Pnin begin preparing food and drinks?

3. How does the man who runs Victor's school treat the children?

4. In Chapter 6, what do pranksters vandalize in the humanities building?

5. In Chapter 5, where is the cabin that Pnin is headed to located?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Victor Wind fantasize about during school?

2. Where is Pnin living in Chapter 6 and how does he feel about it?

3. Describe Victor's art teacher, Lake.

4. What does Hagen tell Pnin before he leaves the party?

5. Who is the artist that Pnin meets while going for a swim in the lake, and what does Pnin wish after meeting him?

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

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

8. What happens to Pnin while traveling to the cabin in Chapter 5?

9. What has happened with Dr. Eric Wind and Liza in Chapter 4?

10. Who is the host of the party at the cabin in Chapter 5?

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

Pnin's situation is almost somewhat hopeless and the reader can't help but feel sad for him. Analyze the theme of Pnin's misfortunes in life. What does the narrator say about Pnin's misfortunes in life? Is Pnin the cause of his own misfortunes? Is his situation with Liza hopeless? Why does Pnin comply with her? Is he the cause of most of his misfortunes?

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?

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