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 say is the outcome of his erection?

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

3. Why is the narrator unsatisfied with "usual debauchery"?

4. How would the narrator start again with Marcelle?

5. What does Simone want to do with the testicles?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the confusion between the cardinal and the narrator on the part of Marcelle seem to show?

2. Why does the narrator claim the universe seems decent to some, and why they fear lewdness?

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

4. Explain the author's comparison between his own life and the crow of a rooster.

5. Explain the change in Simone following the death of Marcelle.

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the characters of Simone and Marcelle. What are their similarities? What are their differences? Why does each character change as they do throughout the novel? What are the motivations for their behaviors? What causes them to go insane? Who is responsible for their downward spirals? Why?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 915 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample