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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. Why can't the green man go home?

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

3. What does Severian throw a coin into while in the House of Absolute?

4. What has become of Thecla's body?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. When Severian finds Dr. Talos and the others in the garden at the House of Absolute, what is Dr. Talos doing?

4. What happens when Severian shows the Claw in the cave while the beasts are surrounding him?

5. Why does Severian stop to look for his missing sword before he leaves the cave where the beasts attacked him?

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

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

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

9. What does Severian say about the magic fountain that leads the reader to believe it may have been correct about Severian's future?

10. Why is Severian unable to kill Agia?

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

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?

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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