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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who claims to treat his friends without being paid?

2. While on the phone with Margaret, what does Wilhelm hear in the background that tells him everything is okay?

3. What does Wilhelm secretly hope that Tamkin will do for him?

4. Wilhelm was raised as part of which religion?

5. While paying his respects to the dead man, what does Wilhelm think of?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Persuasion is an important motif throughout the book.

Part 1) How is persuasion used in the book to influence the main character, Wilhelm? Be specific with quotes and examples from the text.

Part 2) What techniques does the narrator use to persuade us, the readers, to feel a certain why? Cite examples of this.

Essay Topic 2

Family plays a significant role throughout the book, particularly the strained relationship between Wilhelm and his father, Dr. Adler. Choose one of the following options to write about:

1) Why is the relationship between Wilhelm and his father strained? What events help define for us the nature of their relationship? Does their relationship change by the end of the book? Why or why not?

2) Minor characters in Wilhelm's family also play a significant role. How do the characters of Catherine, Margaret, and Wilhelm's sons help to define Wilhelm as a character? What do they help us to understand about the story?

3) Compare and contrast Dr. Adler and Wilhelm. How are they the same? How are they different?

Essay Topic 3

In this story, many of the characters, particularly Wilhelm, struggle to define themselves. Wilhelm has been called by many different names in his life - Wilky, Wilhelm, Tommy Wilhelm, and Vevel.

Part 1) Identify each name and what it means to Wilhelm.

Part 2) Which one does Wilhelm most identify with and why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 365 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample