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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. Where does Pnin take Victor after picking him up from the train station?

2. At the party in Chapter 5, what book does Pnin end up getting into an argument with Bolotov over?

3. In Chapter 5, why do the host of the party and his wife have no children?

4. Pnin and Victor had already been corresponding, what does Victor think of Pnin from his letters?

5. When does Victor learn of Pnin's existence?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Describe Victor's art teacher, Lake.

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

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

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

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

9. What does Pnin give to Victor during their first meeting?

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 Professor Timofey Pnin. Where is Pnin from and what is his first language? Is his character likable? Does one feel pity for his character? What is engaging about Pnin? What are his strengths and weaknesses?

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

Pnin tells many stories throughout the action of the main story. Explore the author's use of the literary device story-within-a-story in the novel "Pnin".

Part 1) Is the author using stories-within-a-story to parody views of the world?

Part 2) Is the author using stories-within-a-story to give background about particular characters or events?

Part 3) How is this literary device effective in the novel "Pnin"?

(see the answer keys)

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