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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 the author say Rappaccini's voice sounds like it is affected by?

2. What does the writer say Beatrice's voice is as rich as?

3. Who meets Giovanni at the door of his lodgings?

4. What kills the lizard?

5. What does Beatrice do as she comes down the garden path?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has Giovanni's changed at the beginning of this story?

2. Why does Giovanni go with Lisabetta if he is so suspicious of her?

3. How does the lizard die?

4. Why does Baglioni say Giovanni should be wary of Rappaccini?

5. How does this opening section express Giovanni's youthful energy?

6. How does Baglioni greet Giovanni?

7. What is Baglioni's opinion on Beatrice?

8. What are Giovanni's first impressions of Beatrice?

9. How does Beatrice react to seeing Giovanni watching her?

10. How does the author describe Rappaccini's garden?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the book.

How does the author use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

Discuss elements of the narrative structure; Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the book's themes?

Essay Topic 2

In what way is innocence in a important element of the story? What does the author express about innocence and people regard it within society?

Essay Topic 3

Examine what the following elements of the story symbolize.

1. The purple flower.

2. The cracked marble fountain.

3. The silver phial.

4. The spider.

(see the answer keys)

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