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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. Celine was of what nationality?

2. Kristeva begins Chapter 6 "Celine: Neither Actor Nor Martyr" with a quote from what book?

3. What is the last name of the "Journey to the End of the Night" character Arthur?

4. Celine wrote during the rise of National Socialism in what country?

5. What does Kristeva call Celine's idea that through violent confrontation, each person is reduced to the same, miserable state?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Kristeva seem to feel about Celine's Nazism?

2. What does Kristeva say makes literature "abject"?

3. What does Kristeva say about how Celine's novels are realistic?

4. How does Kristeva say Celine captures the abject in his writing?

5. Why does Kristeva say it is rash to ignore any value one might find in the Anti-Semitism in Celine's work?

6. What does Kristeva say Celine felt was the foundation of human existence?

7. Why might Kristeva say many of Celine's stylistic choices be called anti-linguistic or anti-grammatical?

8. How does Kristeva say the hatred of Jews act as a metaphor for the abject?

9. How did Celine use strong women in his works?

10. How does Kristeva say Celine's work represents the division caused by economic inequality?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the concept of the "zero-state" in young children. What does Kristeva mean when she talks about the zero state? What happens when a child starts to come out of the zero state? What are some of the fears and desires that a young, pre-cognitive child might have? How do the fears and desires sync up with Freud's model of the Oedipal triangle? How do they go against it?

Essay Topic 2

Explore Kristeva's use of the the traditional Freudian model of the Oedipal triangle. Why is it the perfect tool to explain the abject? How does she expand upon it? Why does she say it is flawed?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Kristeva's reasoning for saying Celine's Nazism should not deter from the value of his work. What does Kristeva say about Celine's Nazism? Why does she say it need not detract from his writings? Does it seem like she is making excuses, or is what she says valid? What techniques does Kristeva use to convey her views on his Nazism?

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