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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. About what is Hephzibah not certain?

2. What left Sam more angry than sad?

3. What does Julian not understand about his friend Libor?

4. What are Julian's sons doing just as someone is tapping Julian on the shoulder?

5. What does Julian agree to do with Libor?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Alfredo explain knowing Sam and knowing about Julian's mugging?

2. What does Julian not understand about his friend Libor?

3. What does Julian realize about Kimberly and how does that puzzle him?

4. What are Julian's sons doing when Julian is revisiting the scene of his mugging?

5. What does Emmy ask of Libor?

6. With whom does Sam have a falling out and what disappoints him about the ASHamed Jews?

7. Why does Julian tell Libor about the mugging, and what is Libor's response?

8. How does Hephzibah cause Julian to believe his fate is playing itself out with her?

9. How do Sam and Tyler respond to Sam's invitation to join the ASHamed Jews?

10. How does Libor fare with the bereavement counseling?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in The Finkler Question.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of The Finkler Question. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of The Finkler Question. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think The Finkler Question is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by The Finkler Question. Questions that Jacobson most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Jacobson' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Jacobson' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Jacobson and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

(see the answer keys)

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