View a FREE sample

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 narrator dare Simone to do in Chapter 1?

2. What does Simone do when she wins the bet?

3. What does Marcelle ask to do following the bet?

4. What does the narrator note about the colors of the girls' stockings?

5. How does Simone know the narrator has stayed up late?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when the narrator finds Simone, and what is the accidental result that rises Marcelle from her room?

2. Explain how the orgy in Chapter 2 takes place.

3. Explain why, despite being modest, Simone and the narrator have the relationship they have?

4. What has happened to Marcelle after the orgy? How does the couple discover what has happened to Marcelle? What do they think of doing to help her?

5. Explain what the narrator thinks as he chases down the unknown naked woman, and the reality of who the woman is.

6. In Chapter 3, the narrator contemplates suicide. Explain why, and what happens to change his mind.

7. Explain what happens to Marcelle in Chapter 1.

8. What does Simone develop an urge to do with eggs at the beginning of Chapter 2?

9. Explain what the narrator does after fleeing the orgy and before seeking Simone.

10. How does the narrator avoid police capture in Chapter 3 and how is this possible?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nature plays a large part in this story, as the narrator often uses the nature surrounding the characters to explain changes in their senses, and to explain some of their behaviors. List at least two examples of when nature is used as a part of the storyline. What were the characters doing? How did nature play a part? What was the situation? What was the end result? How did nature affect the behaviors or actions of the characters?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the characters of the narrator and Sir Edmond. What are their similarities? What are their differences? What are the differences in terms of their relationship with Simone? How does each character change throughout the novel? What is the motive behind their actions and behaviors? Why does each continue to associate with Simone?

Essay Topic 3

Several times throughout the novel, the author equates orgasm to death. Explore this connection in depth. Why would such a connection exist? In what ways does the author link these two concepts? What is his purpose for this link? How does this link represent the lives of Simone and the narrator? Does this point come across clearly? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 963 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample