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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. Who leaves Berlin suddenly and without an explanation?

2. What happened to the Baron?

3. What is the destination of the two men?

4. How does the person communicate with Norris?

5. What emotion does Bradshaw feel as Norris departs?

Short Essay Questions

1. What information was contained in Norris' last postcard to Bradshaw?

2. Norris leaves Berlin without a word to anyone. Why doesn't Norris explain in a letter?

3. What events take place in New Year's Eve? Who is present at the party?

4. Describe at least part of the conversation regarding Norris' financial situation.

5. How does Bradshaw react when he catches Norris and the women in a compromising position?

6. What is Norris' solution to evading the trouble brewing in Berlin?

7. What action takes place in the beginning of the chapter? Who was involved in the action and what was the result?

8. Who does Bradshaw meet on arriving at Norris' house for tea? What is the man's occupation?

9. How do Bradshaw and Norris part company at the end of the trip?

10. Describe the communiqué received by Bradshaw. What were the contents? Who sent it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Christopher Isherwood's career as a writer, before and after he moved to the United States in 1946. What was Isherwood's original reason for traveling to Berlin? How long did he stay in the country? Where did he go after he left Germany? What other books did Isherwood write? What two plays were inspired by "The Berlin Stories?"

Essay Topic 2

Bradshaw talks about the persecution of the Jews at the hand of Hitler and the SS. Aside from the horror of the deaths, Bradshaw cannot help but think of his friends that are Jewish. Bradshaw wonders which have been tortured and which are dead. How would you feel in Bradshaw's shoes? Is there anything Bradshaw could have done to protect his friends? Does Bradshaw ever find out what happened to Rudi and the others?

Essay Topic 3

The term "queer" is used many times throughout the book, although in different ways. For example, Isherwood admits to being queer; Fraulein Schroeder tells Bradshaw that he has queer friends. Explain what is meant by the word queer. Use at least three references from the book and give proper context to the word and its usage. How else might the word be used? Was it a popular term in the 1930s? What does it mean in today's society? What other words are similar?

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