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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. In Chapter 6 of Part Two, what does Frederic swear to Marie Arnoux he will never do?

2. What does Frederic fantasize about while he watches Arnoux sleep in the guardroom?

3. What news does Frederic's porter give Louise Roque that breaks her heart?

4. What does Rosanette insist Frederic do when he first sees his newborn son?

5. Which character is implicated in a scheme involving carbines that are intercepted in Troyes?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mademoiselle Vatnaz believe the role of the woman to be? What is Rosanette's position on the subject?

2. For what position does Monsieur Dambreuse persuade Frederic to announce his candidacy? Who ends up with the position?

3. How does Arnoux's trusting nature lead to his business trouble with the china clay company? How does this mistake affect him?

4. Why does Deslauriers go to visit Marie Arnoux? What news does he give her? What is her reaction?

5. What is happening in the streets of Paris in Chapter 1 of Part Three? What is Frederic's reaction to what he sees?

6. On what pretense does Rosanette convince Frederic to visit her? What is the misunderstanding that makes their visit so uncomfortable?

7. To which club does Dussardier take Frederic to rally support for his candidacy? Who is the chairman of the club? Whom does Regimbart support instead of Frederic?

8. What does Frederic think when he sees how affected Louise Roque is by his visit? Why is Monsieur Roque interested in seeing his daughter marry Frederic?

9. What does Frederic think about while he gazes at Monsieur Dambreuse's corpse? What inspires him to consider these things?

10. What decision to Frederic make about the Arnouxs upon returning to Paris in Chapter 6 of Part Two? What request hampers his plan?

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

Revenge is a major theme in A Sentimental Education. Give two examples of acts of revenge in the novel. Why do the characters seek revenge on one another? How does money factor in to these acts of revenge?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the symbol of the cashmere shawl in A Sentimental Education. What does this item represent? What does this purchase imply about Jacques Arnoux? How does this aspect of his personality affect his relationship with his wife?

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