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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 are the Spanish people headed?

2. What is the name of the ship?

3. What had been Herr Hutten's role in Mexico?

4. In what Mexican city does the novel begin?

5. How many Spanish people are waiting to board the Vera at his dock?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Captain Thiele say to indicate his true feelings about the Jews.

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

3. How do Jenny and Willhelm Freytag meet?

4. What is the significance of the book's title?

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

6. Why is Dr. Schumann summoned to La Condesa's cabin?

7. What topics does the author explore?

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

9. What is the situation with the Lutz family?

10. Who are the members of the Spanish dance troupe?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author speaks to several personal problems with the characters that are still problems with people today. Name at least two of these personal issues and cite examples to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

The author writes about Dr. Schumann in this way: "...the island he would never see again, had not in fact seen at all, except as a steep road from the dock with a small white carriage climbing away slowly taking with it all the vanities and illusions of his life." What literary technique is used in this example? What is the author trying to say about Dr. Schumann?

Essay Topic 3

When the Spanish dancers are outraged that a carriage driver charges for each passenger as opposed to one flat fee, the author writes about the Spanish dancers in this way: "'Look, Senor, this carriage is for six persons, you are ten. I charge by the passenger.' 'That's mere robbery,' said Pancho, 'I will not pay it.'" What literary technique is used in this example? What is the author trying to say about the Spanish dancers?

(see the answer keys)

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