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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. Where does the doctor examine the priest?

2. What does the priest now think is the source of his pain?

3. What does the priest contemplate at the beginning of Chapter 5?

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

5. What does the priest decide to do at the Chateau?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. In what circumstances does the priest feel youthful for the first time in his life?

4. What advice does the doctor give the priest?

5. What is odd about the way the priest is treated at the Chateau after the death of Mme la Comtesse?

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

7. The book ends not with a diary entry but a letter. Explain the originator of the letter and its contents.

8. How does the young priest suffer a crisis of confidence in himself and in his work?

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

10. What is the state of the priest's health in Chapter 7?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the role of pride and arrogance in the young priest's life? Does he feel he is elevated in the eyes of the parishioners? In his own eyes? Why does he look down upon Louis Duprety who leaves the priesthood?

Essay Topic 2

What does the young priest represent to the parishioners that most of them do not like him? What is it about his fresh energy for faith and spirituality that makes the people, even the children, ridicule him and gossip about him? What lessons are to be learned for both the priest and his parishioners?

Essay Topic 3

The young priest comes to the conclusion that he has not suffered any real injustice in his life. How can he say this when most people would consider his life to be nothing but a series of injustices? How is he able to see only the good about his life? Explain.

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