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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. As Paz uderstands it, what is the Mexican's relation to death?
(a) Sacrificial.
(b) Emotionally remote.
(c) Intimate and heartbreaking.
(d) Intimate but empty.

2. Paz says that during critical moments in a nation's development, the people ask themselves a critical question. What is that question?
(a) How can we move forward?
(b) Who should lead us?
(c) How do we want the future to look?
(d) Who are we and how can we fulfill this obligation?

3. How do Mexicans perceive an opening-up of one's self?
(a) As a betrayal or weakness.
(b) As infidelity to the human spirit.
(c) As a sign of strength.
(d) As a moment of truth.

4. What do a pachuco's actions and lifestyle demonstrate?
(a) His will to remain different.
(b) His anger at a culture that will not assimilate him.
(c) His desire to return to Mexico.
(d) His dissatisfaction with North American culture.

5. What is the advantage of the North American view of women in relation to the Spanish view?
(a) It credits women with a cosmic role.
(b) It does not deify women.
(c) It recognizes women's place in the world.
(d) It does not objectify women.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Paz's opinion, when is a person most likely to see himself as precious and unique?

2. What duality does the pachuco represent?

3. In Paz's understanding of genders, how do Mexican women become like men?

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

5. What is the Spanish view of women in contrast to the Mexican?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the Aztecs view sin? How does that idea explain the Conquest? What enormous change did Catholicism introduce?

2. How does Paz explain the Mexican woman's role in society? How does that strip her of her personality?

3. Who is the Virgin of Guadalupe? How is she an important part of Mexican identity?

4. What is the greatest horror that a worker suffers? Do you think that is true?

5. "The pachuco has lost his whole inheritance: Language, religion, customs, and beliefs. He is left with only a body and a soul with which to confront the elements" (Chapter One, pg 15). Is that a true statement?

6. In Chapter Three, the following idea is presented: "There is nothing so joyous as a Mexican fiesta, but there is also nothing so sorrowful. Fiesta night is also a night of mourning" (Chapter 3, page 53). What does that mean?

7. What mutual problem do both the Mexican and the North American face? What is the solution to that problem?

8. What were Paz's impressions of the United States? How does that contrast with the literature being written? In your mind, what accounts for the discrepancy?

9. How important are fiestas in Mexican culture? What relationship exists between the fiesta and the individual?

10. What is Paz's understanding of woman? How does it fit the Mexican mindset?

(see the answer keys)

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