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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. To whom does Herr Julius Lowentah sell his merchandise?

2. The novel explores the personal dynamics among _____________.

3. How many Cuban college students board the ship in Havana?

4. Where are the Spanish people headed?

5. In what Mexican city does the novel begin?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the irony of Herr Lowenthal's occupation?

2. What unpleasant task does Dr. Schumann have to do now that the ship is in port?

3. What inappropriate behavior of the Spanish dancers has upset so many shopkeepers?

4. Explain the strained relationship between Jenny and David.

5. Why are the passengers so reluctant to go to the fiesta on board?

6. Why is Herr KarlGlocken returning to Germany?

7. What changes the mood of the passengers when they return to the ship in Havana, Cuba?

8. What is the mood of the departing travelers?

9. What is the first display of anti-Semitic behavior aboard ship?

10. Why has the time ashore made Frau Rittersdorf particularly melancholy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the symbolism of the Spanish dancing troupe? What purpose do they serve for the story? Why has the author included them? Why are the other characters so averse to them? Why do they make themselves so unlikable?

Essay Topic 2

What is the setting for the novel? Why did the author choose to tell her story in this setting? Could the story have been told in a better setting or is this the perfect setting for the points she wanted to make?

Essay Topic 3

It is clear that the passengers have many differences. Cite some of them. Now cite some of the similarities that the passengers have that are common to all people.

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