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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. At the party in Chapter 5, who quickly changes the subject when Bolotov and Pnin begin to argue?

2. Who arrives early to the housewarming party to assist Pnin with the preparations?

3. In Chapter 6, where has Pnin's friend, who heads the department his job is attached to, accepted a new post at?

4. In Chapter 4, who has Liza left Dr. Wind for and is preparing to marry?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. What does Victor Wind fantasize about during school?

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

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

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

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"?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the Clementses and their relationship with Pnin, comparing their first impressions of Pnin to how they end up feeling about Pnin. What kind of people are the Clementses? How does Pnin know them? What do Pnin and Joan bond over? What are some examples from the book that demonstrate the Clementses beginning to like Pnin?

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?

(see the answer keys)

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