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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 does the Cure de Torcy tell the young priest about prayer?

2. What does the priest need before the doctor can provide a diagnosis?

3. Why does the priest tell Seraphita that he is sad?

4. Who comes to catechism class with a limp?

5. What does the priest hear on a walk to Mezargues?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the priest handle the matter of Mlle Chantal with Mme la Comtesse?

2. Why was the priest uncomfortable in the presence of the doctor?

3. Explain the tragic irony of the events following the priest's visit with Mme la Comtesse.

4. How does the priest attempt to break down the emotional barriers Mme la Comtesse has set up around herself?

5. Explain the irony of the doctor's physical health.

6. Why is Mme la Comtesse adamant about sending Mlle Chantal to finishing school?

7. Describe the meeting between the priest and M. le Comte.

8. Explain how the situation with the medallion is the climax of the novel.

9. What advice does the doctor give the priest?

10. What does the priest note about his illness in Chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the important themes in the book is that of the spiritual journey. Explain the different points where the young priest and the older Cure de Torcy are on their individual spiritual journeys.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the tone of the novel as the young priest's parish experience extends. What is his demeanor at the onset? How does the tone change as the priest becomes more disillusioned with the people and circumstances of the parish? At the end, what is the priest's outlook?

Essay Topic 3

Do a character sketch on the Cure de Torcy. What role does he play in the novel? What role does he play in the young priest's life?

(see the answer keys)

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