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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. Where does Vodalus tell Severian he can find Dorcas?

2. When Part 2 begins, who is Severian's assistant?

3. Where is the green man from?

4. What has become of Thecla's body?

5. In the House of Absolute, what turns out to be portals to other dimensions?

Short Essay Questions

1. What reason does the green man give Severian for his being green?

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

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

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

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

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

7. What do the beasts Severian encounters in the cave look like?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does the future play in Shadow & Claw? What mentions of the future are there? How does Severian seem to feel about his future?

Essay Topic 2

What does the graveyard scene at the beginning of the book foreshadow? How does the author use the scene to hint at events yet to come? Is this instance of foreshadowing effective? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

How does the author portray women in Shadow & Claw? Does the way in which he describes female characters and the way the characters act show a respect for women or does it show disrespect? Do you think this feeling is that of the author or is it merely a reflection of Severian's character?

(see the answer keys)

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