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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through The Day of the Dead.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the French sociologists' interpretation of the fiesta?
(a) The people's misunderstanding of life increases their desire for death.
(b) The people's disregard for death increases their sense of life.
(c) The people's squandering of money appeases the gods.
(d) The people's disregard for obligations enhances their sense of time.

2. What does the pachuco represent in Paz's writing?
(a) The typical Mexican living in North American culture.
(b) The modern-day religious saint.
(c) One step along the path that a Mexican can take.
(d) One extreme at which the Mexican can arrive.

3. Paz discusses the result of persecution on the pachuco. What is that result?
(a) It breaks his solitude.
(b) It makes him stronger.
(c) It makes him distrustful.
(d) It strengthens his anger.

4. How did Paz consider his philosophical questions?
(a) As the only means to find answers.
(b) As a waste of time.
(c) As an excuse for not facing reality.
(d) As meaningful only if they addressed the question of Mexican identity.

5. Why does a Mexican blend into his surroundings and become solely Appearance?
(a) He fears appearances.
(b) He wants to end his individuality.
(c) He fears human interaction.
(d) He loves appearance.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Paz first arrived in the United States, what surprised him most about the people?

2. How does Paz differentiate between views of the body in Mexico and North America?

3. How do Mexicans perceive an opening-up of one's self?

4. How does a man become "like the angels" (Chapter Three, page 61)?

5. During the fiesta of Grito, why do the people shout for one hour, in Paz's interpretation?

(see the answer key)

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