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 do with Simone?

2. What does the narrator compare the peeled bull testicles to?

3. What is noted about Granero's body at the end of Chapter 11?

4. What is Marcelle doing at the beginning of Chapter 8?

5. What does Simone do while Granero is being killed?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the narrator claim he believes Simone urinates on the corpse of Marcelle?

2. What are the three things that fascinate Simone about bullfights?

3. Why does the narrator claim he does not care for "normal" pleasures, and why even dirty pleasures have become unsatisfying?

4. Describe the scene in the pigsty in Chapter 9, and explain its significance.

5. Explain how the death of Granero occurs, and the result of his death in terms of his eye.

6. Describe the narrator's thoughts about Marcelle as the couple rides home from the sanitarium in Chapter 5.

7. Describe the sexual fantasy of Simone and the narrator about Marcelle in Chapter 6.

8. Explain what happens to Simone as she attempts to masturbate on the bicycle, and the narrator's initial reaction.

9. What does the narrator believe is the goal of his own lack of moral discipline?

10. What happens to Marcelle in Chapter 8, and why?

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 narrator notes in the novel that people fear lewd behaviors because they have a secret desire to participate in them. Do you believe this is true? Why or why not? Does this statement explain the behaviors of the characters in the novel? Why or why not? If so, why are they willing to give in to such behaviors when other are not? If not, what is the real reason behind their activities?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 949 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample