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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. Whose presence seems to intimidate Florent?

2. What had Florent studied while in Paris?

3. What kind of business did Florent's mother have?

4. Why does Florent abandon his law studies a second time?

5. Who is the author of THE BELLY OF PARIS?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the impact of Marjolin's advances on La Belle Lisa?

2. What does Muche talk Pauline into doing, knowing that it will make Pauline's mother mad?

3. How does Florent reject Quenu and Lisa's bourgeois lifestyle?

4. Why will Florent's naivete be his undoing in the insurrection plans?

5. Who is the only woman who is kind to Florent at the fish market?

6. What does La Belle Lisa find in Florent's drawer that temporarily halts her search of his room?

7. Where is Uncle Gradelle's money found and what do Lisa and Quenu do with it?

8. What new things does Florent see in Paris when he returns?

9. Who are Marjolin and Cadine and what role does Mere Chantemesse play in their lives?

10. What instructions does Monsieur Gavard give La Sarriette as he is being escorted to jail?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the role of women in the market class of the mid 1800s, the time period of the novel. What precedents do they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions do they have? What freedoms did they have that 21st century women do not have?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the overall setting for the novel. Why does Zola use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 3

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for the lives of Florent, Quenu, La Belle Lisa and Gavard. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, politics, and socialization.

(see the answer keys)

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