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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 think when he first reaches Simone?

2. What happens when the narrator first tries to kiss Marcelle?

3. What does Sir Edmond do with the blond mannequin?

4. What does the narrator call "Astral sperm and heavenly urine"?

5. What does Simone do with the first bull testicle?

Short Essay Questions

1. What tradition does Sir Edmond tell Simone of, and what is her response?

2. Explain why Simone and the narrator do not speak of eggs, or of any other portion of their unusual sexual relationship.

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

4. Explain how Simone and the narrator travel to Spain undetected.

5. Explain the narrator's actions as the couple stops the first time on their journey home from the sanitarium in Chapter 5.

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

7. Describe what Simone begins enjoying doing with eggs at the beginning of Chapter 6.

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

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

10. What does Marcelle seem to fear most at the end of Chapter 7, and what does the narrator realize this fear relates to?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Throughout the novel, sexual gratification and violence appear to go hand in hand. Discuss this idea in depth. Why is sex and violence tied together in the novel? What are some examples of this theme? What are the narrator's thoughts on this particular link? What does this idea lead the teens to do?

Essay Topic 3

Obsessions are a common theme used throughout the novel. Choose two obsessions focused on in the novel, and explain them in detail. What are the obsessions? Who has them? How do they develop? What is their root cause? What do the characters do to satisfy their obsessions? Do their efforts work? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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