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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, when did the host of the party move to America?

2. In Chapter 6, who will replace Pnin's friend as department head?

3. In Chapter 4, what is the nature of Victor and Pnin's conversation during dinner?

4. Who runs the school that Victor attends?

5. In Chapter 5, what is the actual name that the host of the party goes by?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe Victor's art teacher, Lake.

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. What do Roza Shpolyanski and Pnin talk about at the party 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

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

Description is the fiction-writing mode for creating a mental image of a story. Examine the use of description in "Pnin". How does the author use narration, dialogue, and imagery to bring his novel to life? What is the best example of the use of description from the novel "Pnin"?

(see the answer keys)

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