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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 narrator note caused Simone's extreme orgasm the night of the party?

2. Who does Simone state she will only "do it" with?

3. Where does Simone first urinate on the narrator?

4. Who does the narrator meet on a beach in Chapter 1?

5. What does the narrator do shortly upon entering?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrator explain Marcelle's features as she gazes at the ocean?

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

3. Explain what happens to Marcelle in Chapter 1.

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

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

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

7. Explain what Simone does with the saucer of milk in the first chapter.

8. What does the couple see almost immediately after entering the sanitarium grounds, and how do they know this indicates Marcelle is involved?

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

10. Explain the narrator's trip through the sanitarium.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is a theme used throughout the novel of the point at which things meet, such as the fine point between life and death, as experienced by the priest as he orgasms at the moment of death. What are other topics that are explored in this same way? How is this line used in the novel? What is the goal of the author in exploring these lines?

Essay Topic 2

The novel begins with the discovery of unusual sexual practices by two teenagers, and ends with the murder and mutilation of a priest for sexual gratification. Discuss, in detail, the journey of Simone and the narrator, and discuss the events which led to their downward spiral into murder. Be sure to include the involvement of parents, other associates, and the activities participated in.

Essay Topic 3

Word association and thought association is used throughout the novel, both as a visual tool but also as a tool to convey reasons for certain behaviors. Choose one of the topics below, and write a complete analysis of how the word is associated in the novel, and what this association means in terms of the characters and/or the storyline.

1.) Associations with lightning

2.) Associations with urine

3.) Associations with the color red

4.) Associations with the Milky Way

(see the answer keys)

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