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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 are both of Victor's parents described in Chapter 4 as being?

2. In Chapter 4, what does Pnin buy Victor in preparation for his visit?

3. In Chapter 6, how is Pnin feeling about his lack of students this semester?

4. What does Victor's art teacher encourage him to do?

5. In Chapter 5, whom does Pnin meet at the cabin who is an artist?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe Victor's art teacher, Lake.

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

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

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

6. What are a few examples of what the students at Waindell College do at the beginning of every year?

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

8. What is Pnin worried that he might have broken at the end of Chapter 6?

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

10. Why does Liza decide to send Victor to school at St. Bartholomew's?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The author of "Pnin" emphasizes a certain amount of dullness in the academic life. Examine the premise of dullness of academic life in the novel "Pnin". Does this dull feeling fit Pnin's personality and character? Are the other professors at the college depicted as dull? What do the students do that is the same every year? How are the butterflies depicted? Why does this particularly year have a dark undertone?

Essay Topic 3

The story of Pnin can be enhanced by learning about the author of the book. Research the author Vladimir Nabokov, comparing him to the character of Professor Timofey Pnin. How are Pnin and Nabokov similar? How are Pnin and Nabokov different? Why would Nabokov write a book that clearly is very related to his own life? How is "Pnin" an indicator of Nabokov's life as an immigrant?

(see the answer keys)

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