2. What does the narrator say is done not only to the body, but also to the soul?
(a) The act of fighting.
(b) The act of clothing.
(c) The act of tedium.
(d) The act of acting.

3. Why does the narrator contend that a person cannot truly love another person?
(a) A person cannot own another person.
(b) A person never really knows another person.
(c) It is impossible to fear a mere human.
(d) It is impossible to respect humanity.

4. Who, according to the narrator, cannot be a dreamer?
(a) The poor.
(b) The wealthy.
(c) The intellectual man.
(d) The common man.

5. What does the narrator say about the office boy's travels?
(a) Says he is unimpressed.
(b) Says he wishes the boy would travel somewhere and not come back.
(c) Says he is a bother every Monday morning, talking about his weekend trips.
(d) Says he is well-travelled in his soul.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where are the objects of nature located that the narrator discusses when he describes Spring?

2. How many sections does The Book of Disquiet have?

3. Whose life is like a ball of tangled yarn?

4. What does the narrator say he believes readers might think he is at the end of the book?

5. What remained constant about the scales the girl played on her instrument when she lived above the narrator?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to the narrator, how should intelligent men view God?

2. Discuss the narrator's conflicting thoughts and statements about his wife.

3. What are the narrator's thoughts on writing perfect literature? Which classic example does he analyze to make his point and what does he say about it?

4. Why does the narrator say he never puts forth much effort into various aspects of his life?

5. Why are smells important to the narrator?

6. What does the narrator say about intelligent and sensitive people? Since they can't be banned to an island, what should they do and why?

7. Why does the narrator isolate himself, and how does it affect his sensitivity to worldly things?

8. Why does the narrator dislike reading the newspaper?

9. What is the gift of the common folk, according to the narrator?

10. Why does the narrator say mirrors are a negative invention?

(see the answer keys)

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