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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 slides a letter under the door while Severian and Jonas sit talking?

2. What does Jonas want Severian to tell Jolenta for him?

3. What are Severian and Jonas given when they leave Vodalus' camp?

4. Where does Vodalus tell Severian he can find Dorcas?

5. Where does Vodalus tell Severian to go following the feast?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dorcas tell Severian about her memories when they are reunited in the garden?

2. Why does Severian gain Thecla's memories and thoughts?

3. What does Severian remind Vodalus of when he and Jonas are brought before Vodalus?

4. What do Dr. Talos and Baldanders plan to do when they leave the group toward the end of the book?

5. Why is Severian sad when he sees Agia and the archers after leaving the caves?

6. What do the witches in the castle assure Severian and Dorcas of concerning Jolenta?

7. In Thecla's letter to Severian, how does she say she escaped?

8. Why does Dorcas cry when Severian and Jolenta return from the rivers edge?

9. Why does Barnoch look half dead when Severian first sees him?

10. What does the green man tell Severian about Agia?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe compassion as a motif of Shadow & Claw. In what instances do we see compassion in the novel? Who shows compassion? Does compassion seem to be a strange motif given the nature of Severian's profession? Did the author chose to make Severian a compassionate man?

Essay Topic 2

Describe Severian as the protagonist of Shadow & Claw. How does he fit the role of protagonist? Does a torturer and executioner seem a likely hero? Why or why not? Is the character of Severian believable as a man of honor?

Essay Topic 3

How is justice used in Shadow & Claw? Which characters mete out justice? Which events show characters delivering punishment that could be seen as unjust? What do these examples of justice and unjust punishment reveal about the author and his views?

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