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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 is the host of the costume party to which Arnoux invites Frederic?

2. What is the title of the novel that Frederic begins to write?

3. What insult is thrown at Deslauriers that started the schoolyard fight that begins his friendship with Frederic?

4. Where does Frederic begin to work after learning of his meager inheritance?

5. In Chapter 2 of Part Two, what recent trouble has Arnoux been involved in?

Short Essay Questions

1. With whom does Frederic develop a friendship in Chapter 6? How do the other characters feel about this friendship?

2. What is Deslauriers' reaction to Frederic's love for Madame Arnoux? What is Deslauriers' opinion of Marie Arnoux when he sees her in the Law Courts?

3. What is Jacques Arnoux's business reputation? Why does Pellerin become so angry with him?

4. From whom does Madame Moreau borrow money? How does she pay off this debt? How does this affect Frederic's future?

5. What kind of trouble does Frederic discover Arnoux is experiencing? With whom does he discuss this? What does he learn?

6. How does Frederic's schoolmate Baptiste Martinon live? What is his attitude towards life? How does this contrast with Frederic's attitude?

7. What conflict does Frederic have when he finally receives his long-awaited invitation from the Dambreuses? How is it resolved?

8. What does Hussonet do for a living? What is his professional ambition? What has he done to pursue this dream?

9. What gift does Jacques Arnoux give his wife at her party? Why does he give her this particular gift? What is her reaction? What does she do with the gift during the carriage ride back to Paris?

10. Which of Frederic's friends are invited to his housewarming party? What is their opinion of his new lifestyle?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of nostalgia in A Sentimental Education. Which characters express nostalgia for the past? What are they nostalgic for? How does nostalgia relate to the overall message of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Social class is an important element throughout A Sentimental Education. How does social class affect the relationships between characters in the novel? Give three examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Art is a significant theme in A Sentimental Education. What type of literature does Frederic aspire to write at the beginning of the novel? What is Pellerin's opinion about the purpose of art? How does this differ from Sénécal's opinion? What statement does A Sentimental Education make about art? How is art related to money in this novel?

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