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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 attitude does Seneca have toward slaves in "Slaves?"

2. When was Charles Lamb born?

3. Where did Maria Edgeworth get her nontraditional views from?

4. What is Montaigne's view on quoting and crediting other authors?

5. Beyond the Monstrous Child, who else is discussed in "Of a Monstrous Child?"

Short Essay Questions

1. How are the writings of Montaigne structured?

2. What is dealt with by Kenko in his essay "Essays in Idleness?"

3. Provide some biographical information on Plutarch? What was his contribution to world literature?

4. What was Michel de Montaigne's background prior to writing?

5. What caused Michel de Montaigne to start writing?

6. Name three things that Sei Shonagon declares her dislike for in "Hateful Things."

7. What is the subject of Abraham Cowley's "Of Greatness"? What point does Abraham Cowley make?

8. What is Seneca's philosophical background? Why is that background problematic?

9. To what extent were Charles Lamb's personal essays influenced by his family background? Describe that family background.

10. For what style is Abraham Cowley known for?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ambition is the topic of both Abraham Cowley's "Of Greatness" and Seymour Krim's "For My Brothers and Sisters in the Failure Business"?

A) Contrast the tone of each essay. What might tone reveal about the author's own state of mind?

B) What message does each author have the audience? What should the reader take away from the essay?

C) What advice might Cowley have for Krim?

Essay Topic 2

Montaigne provides a number of views and personal opinions in the essays selected for the book.

A) What is Montaigne's view of human nature in general? Cite quotations from "Of Books" to support your assertion.

B) What is Montaigne's view of education? Cite quotations from "Of Books" and "On Some Verses of Virgil" to support your assertion.

C) What is Montaigne's view of abnormality, according to "Of a Monstrous Child"?

Essay Topic 3

Journeying is the topic of Henry David Thoreau's "Walking" and William Hazlitt's "On Going a Journey."

A) What is the nature of the "journey" each man takes? Is the journey physical, spiritual, philosophical?

B) How might each man's journey be applied to larger life issues?

(see the answer keys)

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