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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. What does the FBI order Jack Crawford to do in Chapter 39?

2. What is the last question Jame Gumb asks Clarice?

3. What does Dr. Lecter say in his note to Dr. Chilton?

4. Why does Jame Gumb invite Clarice into his house?

5. Dr. Lecter checks into the elegant Marcus Hotel. What is special about this hotel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens/happened in Jame Gumb's basement, and what aspects of the basement add to the terror of his victims?

2. What pivotal event happens to Jack Crawford in Chapter 45, and how does he respond to this event?

3. Do you think that Clarice overstepped her bounds by visiting Dr. Lecter without going through the proper channels?

4. How does the FBI get information on Jame Gumb, and where does it lead them?

5. What would the reasons be for Chilton and Krendler to try and blame Dr. Lecter's escape on Clarice?

6. Do you think that Jame Gumb would be judged criminally insane or just plain evil?

7. What is Catherine's plan, and describe her attempts to get Jame Gumb to release her?

8. What happens after Clarice realizes that Jame Gumb is Buffalo Bill, and he realizes she knows?

9. Once Clarice finds out about Jame Gumb and the FBI team on its way to Illinois to apprehend the killer, how and why does she continue her investigation?

10. Do you think that Dr. Lecter left the cipher in the toilet for Senator Martin or for Clarice?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dr. Lecter defends Clarice when Miggs insults her by throwing semen at her. Miggs is found dead in his cell shortly thereafter, having swallowed his tongue. It is suspected that Dr. Lecter had a hand in Miggs' death. Dr. Lecter is a master manipulator, but do you think he could actually convince someone to swallow his own tongue? Why or why not? If so, how do you think he would go about that? Do you believe Clarice would look at this defense of her as a woman and a professional as a backhanded compliment? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Thomas Harris' development of Dr. Lecter's character is incisive and disturbing. Do you think this story is more about Dr. Lecter than Buffalo Bill, or do you think there is a tandem development of the two? Which killer seems more frightening: Dr. Lecter with his impressive intelligence and almost unparalleled ability to manipulate, or Buffalo Bill's seemingly primal drive to have the perfect woman suit?

Essay Topic 3

Strength and perseverance keep Catherine Martin from losing hope once she has been abducted. Though her situation seems hopeless, she finds an inner strength to fight her character.Catherine Martin is a very clever girl, and she is not about to go down without a fight. How does Catherine show her strength and spoil Buffalo Bill's plans for her? How does he react? Is Buffalo Bill a strong person, or is his weakness part of what makes up his character?

(see the answer keys)

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