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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 business with Mephisto does Pendergast tell the squatters he has?
2. In what month does the book begin?
3. Smithback's informant insists that Smtihback must meet whom?
4. What stench does D'Agosta try to dilute with the plume of smoke?
5. What coats the staircase down to the lower level of the tunnels?
Short Essay Questions
1. What are the repercussions of the $100,000 reward posted by Bill Smithback and the Post?
2. Why do you think people of so many disciplines are called in to examine the two skeletons found in the river?
3. What do you think is the importance of the New York Museum of Natural History to the storyline?
4. What do you think is the author's purpose in describing Sergeant Hayward's physical characteristics in such detail?
5. What is ironic about using the muse of rhetoric, Polyhymnia, to name an ornate club in Chapter 10? Does its patronage seem to have anything to do with it?
6. Waxie is a misogynist. What does his presence add to the story, and how does that contribute to the overall storyline?
7. What about the Museum of Natural History makes its atmosphere àpropos to a book of this genre?
8. What is the history of Mbwun, and why is it assumed that these killings might relate to the events surrounding this creature?
9. What seems to be the reason that the unknown character in Chapter 8 holds the Ceremony?
10. In Chapter 8, an unknown person develops extra sensitive senses, apparently by ingesting some unknown drug. What do you think is the purpose of this character's in-depth description and failing to tell the reader who he is?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
The flooding of the tunnels to destroy the creatures is an extreme step, especially given the number of innocent people who could be in danger from the flooding. What purpose do you think this moral ambiguity will serve? Do you see it in any other situations in the book? Do you think it serves the same purpose in that instance?
Essay Topic 2
Frock is unmasked as the shaman, the man behind the propagation of the Wrinklers. Why is this such a shock to the people trying to stop the Wrinklers? In hindsight, does it make sense? What reasoning does Frock give for his transgressions? Do you feel he has a valid point, or do you think he's simply another drug addict? Why?
Essay Topic 3
The New York Museum of Natural History is a stunning backdrop to not one, but two, horrifying stories. While "Reliquary" isn't as dependent on the Museum as its main setting as it was in "Relic," it exudes a frightening air, which only enhances the atmosphere of the book. What is it about the Museum, which makes it a frightening place, and why is it used so frequently?
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This section contains 883 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) |
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