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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. Dr. Talos uses a book for his final play. What is this book?

2. What does Vodalus order Severian to take a mouthful of at the feast?

3. What does Severian tell Thea before he goes into the woods?

4. What do Dorcas and Severian find in the castle?

5. Where does Severian find the others after the people at the final play are attacked?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the beautiful and frightening creature in the water tell Severian to try to get him to join her?

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

3. How does Jonas hope to find a way to fix himself?

4. Why is Severian unable to kill Agia?

5. What does the magic fountain show Severian when he throws a coin into it?

6. What happens to Jolenta after she dies?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Death is treated with much ceremony and dignity throughout Shadow & Claw. What does this treatment of death reveal about Severian? What does it reveal about the author's own thoughts on death?

Essay Topic 3

Why is Severian in love with, or perhaps obsessed with, Agia even though she has proven herself to be unworthy of such attention? What about her seems to hold Severian's interest?

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