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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 month is it when Sara calls Moore in Chapter 13 to tell him another murder had happened?

2. What job does Roosevelt hold?

3. What is the name of the man who killed his neighbor's daughter for no apparent reason?

4. What is the name of Roosevelt's wife?

5. In what year do Moore and Kreizler investigate a series of murders together?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Moore wake up in a strange place in Chapter 12?

2. Why does Moore go to Paresis Hall in Chapter 11?

3. What is the crime scene discovered on March 3, 1896?

4. Why does Kreizler withhold his goal from the Isaacsons when he asks them to examine the bodies of a brother and sister?

5. Why does Sara express concern for Kreizler in Chapter 19?

6. Why is Sara concerned for the safety of the Santorellis?

7. Why is Sara waiting for Moore at his doorstep in Chapter 8?

8. How does Moore meet Joseph?

9. How does Moore feel about the possibility that Kreizler and Sara are in love?

10. What theories does the team develop about the killer's childhood and history, based on the evidence they have found?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the revelation that Kreizler was abused as a child. Why do you think the author chose to make this character a victim of domestic abuse? What point might he be trying to make?

Essay Topic 2

Explore the use of historically accurate aspects in the novel. What historically accurate events, places, people, or ideas have you noticed throughout the book? What techniques does the author use to paint a historically accurate picture of New York City at this time? What tone do you think Carr is trying to create?

Essay Topic 3

Explore the theme of evil used in "The Alienist". What seems to be the idea of the notion of evil as portrayed in the book? What does Kreizler seem to feel about the idea of evil? What does it seem like the author is saying about the nature of evil?

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