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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. Who was Nafisi's father?

2. What is the dream Nafisi and her students share?

3. Why does Nafisi return to the two photographs of her students in Chapter 7?

4. According to Nafisi, how is Yassi like Lolita?

5. How do the students get enough copies of "Lolita" to study?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Vera Nabokov, what is the beauty in "Lolita" and why is it missed by critics?

2. Why do the magician and Nafisi enjoy each other's company so much?

3. Why is it difficult to find a copy of "Lolita" in Tehran?

4. What is the significance of the green gate Nafisi mentions in Chapter 9?

5. In Chapter 2, why does Nafisi describe the first meeting of the study group in present tense instead of past tense?

6. Why is there a difference between the students' level of comfort in talking about themselves and their level of comfort in discussing the novels?

7. Why do Nafisi and her students feel so strongly about Nabokov and his works?

8. What does the magician do with the photographs Nafisi shows him?

9. What is the role of literature in Part 1, Chapter 20?

10. What happens to disrupt the class discussion in Chapter 17?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Section I, Chapter 14, Nafisi quotes Nabokov: "Curiosity is insubordination in its purest form." Write an essay that addresses the following questions about Nabokov's quote: What is the meaning of this quote? Why would curiosity be considered insubordination? What is the role of curiosity in Nafisi's book? Who is described as being curious? How does Nafisi's curiosity impact her students? How does their curiosity demonstrate insubordination?

Essay Topic 2

America is presented as both reality and symbol, as a concept and a country. Describe the various ways America is interpreted and understood by those in Nafisi's classes and the Iranian government. How do those interpretations compare to Nafisi's personal memories and descriptions of America? What elements of America are emphasized? What elements of America are omitted? Why are there omissions?

Essay Topic 3

In Part 3, Chapter 18, Nafisi describes a "perfectly equipped failure." In Part 3, Chapter 26, Nafisi provides characteristics of a traditional heroine. Using the descriptions and characteristics provided in these chapters, write an essay that addresses the following questions:

1) Would Laleh be considered a heroine or a perfectly equipped failure?

2) Would Razieh be considered a heroine or a perfectly equipped failure?

3) Which does Nafisi consider more worthy of admiration, a heroine or a perfectly equipped failure?

(see the answer keys)

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