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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 do Renee's clients have in common?

2. What does Renee love to do?

3. What does Renee reply to Arthens' son's question?

4. What topic does Renee read in Husserl?

5. What does Paloma feel Columbe's goal in life is?

Short Essay Questions

1. What filmmaker has Renee recently been introduced to and which film does she like of his and why?

2. What way did Paloma consider suicide and what why does she finally settle upon in her mind?

3. Describe Olympe.

4. Where does Renee work; how long has she worked there, and what are her clients like?

5. Who is Manuela and what does she want to do?

6. What was Renee's marriage like?

7. Why does Chabrot come to Renee's apartment?

8. What does Renee say when the son of a tenant in the building says something to Renee about Marx?

9. What is one of Renee's favorite movie and why?

10. About whom do Renee and Manuela gossip when they are having tea?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an important part of what makes "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Renee. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Paloma. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Kakuro. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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