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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. To whom had the object in Fiona's dream belonged in real life?

2. How many miles away from the wake are most of Nico's family members congregating?

3. Who had been the first real friend Yale had made after moving?

4. Nora asks Yale and his companions to stay with her for how long so that she can tell them all of her stories?

5. At what time does Charlie return home on the night of the dinner party?

Short Essay Questions

1. Characterize the relationship between Nico and his parents prior to his death.

2. What realization does Yale make while in the bathroom with Julian at the party?

3. What event is taking place 20 miles away while the wake takes place and who is attending that event?

4. Characterize the relationship between Nico and Fiona prior to Nico's death.

5. What task does Arnaud say will "take a couple of days" (133)?

6. In what ways does Fiona forcibly direct her parents in regard to Nico's illness and death?

7. In what location is the wake celebrating Nico's death held?

8. What evidence exists to suggest that Yale is sincere in his love of art, the art world, and the power of the artist's voice?

9. What major purchase does Yale consider making within the narrative and why?

10. What is the symbolism of Nico's orange scarf?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a critical essay about The Great Believers while using the critical power theory lens of feminist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of gender roles, the objectification of women, female empowerment, misogyny's role within society, or any other issues related to feminist theory that can be found in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the interplay between the resolution of The Great Believers and one of the novel's main messages. How does Makkai make connections between these elements and how does their juxtaposition help to get across one main message of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

What is the function of Nico's character within the novel? Discuss the characterization methods used by Makkai in depicting Nico and include in your discussion the reasons that Makkai portrays Nico and his loved ones’ reactions to Nico’s death in these particular ways.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 945 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample