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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 show a lot of talent in, which for some reason worries his parents?

2. What is the name of Victor's art teacher?

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

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

5. When does Victor go to visit Pnin in Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. Who runs St. Bartholomew's? Describe in detail.

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

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

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

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

The beginning of "Pnin" is somewhat lighthearted and even humorous, and then the tone of the novel changes somewhat by the end. Examine the use of tone in the novel "Pnin", describing how it changes throughout the novel. How does the author set the tone in "Pnin"? How is this tone important for the overall mood of the story? What is the tone in "Pnin"? Does this tone seem to go well with the story?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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