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 disturbs Father Philippe during his rest while he and the boys are camping?

2. Which of the following characters in NOT one of the group that has had a run-in with Gabriel Corte?

3. How does Madame Pericand speak to her son, Hubert?

4. What does a thief steal from Gabriel and Florence?

5. What is the name of the Pericands' cat?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the orphans turn on Father Philippe so violently?

2. How does Charlotte Pericand treat her father-in-law and why?

3. What is the feeling of the townspeople when the Germans finally arrive in the town where Arlette Corail is staying?

4. Describe the character of Charles Langelet.

5. What does Jeanne Michaud see while on the road to Tours that makes her cry and why does it affect her?

6. How does Charlotte Pericand feel about Philippe's profession?

7. Describe the character of Charlotte Pericand.

8. Describe Gabriel Corte's attitude about the migration of refugees.

9. Describe the character of Gabriel Corte.

10. What does Philippe Pericand volunteer to do when the citizens of Paris begin to evacuate the city?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose two of the main characters of the novel. Compare and contrast the personalities, experiences, and development of these characters. What do we learn from these characters? Do the characters ever cross paths in the novel? If so, what happens to the characters as a result of their interaction?

Essay Topic 2

Many authors write fiction based on a period in history from which they are far removed. However, Irene Nemirovsky was writing this novel based on France in World War II during the time the events occurred. What influence do you think this had on the novel? How can we see the author's feelings about the war and the occupation through her book? Do you think any of the characters echo the author's feelings? Which ones and why?

Essay Topic 3

A few characters in the novel seem reluctant to evacuate Paris and bothered by the fact that they have to share the plight of the exodus with regular people. These characters are desperate to separate themselves from everyone else and the war. Discuss the idea of separating one's self from the war. Which characters refuse to accept the reality of the situation? How do they separate themselves from the war and the other refugees? Are they successful? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,047 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample