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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. Why did Wertheimer refuse to perform?

2. Where did Wertheimer's sister sneak to in secret?

3. What does the narrator hope his writings will do for him?

4. Who could Wertheimer have blamed for his death?

5. What did Wertheimer force his sister to do for him in the middle of the night?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Franz feel about Wertheimer and his death?

2. Why did the narrator feel guilty about Wertheimer's death?

3. Why does the narrator return to his apartment after Wertheimer's death?

4. Explain how the narrator feels about his depression.

5. Describe why the innkeeper became the innkeeper.

6. Discuss the power of condemnation.

7. Describe what happened when the narrator and Wertheimer tried to play a concert together.

8. Describe Wertheimer's funeral.

9. How are Traich and Desselbrunn compared?

10. What was significant about the Steinway the narrator gave away?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the depression that exists among the three friends in "The Loser."

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the paradox of Wertheimer's motivation to take his own life because he wanted to keep his unhappiness. Support your statements with examples and quotes from "The Loser."

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the identity of the true loser of "The Loser." Explain how each friend of the trio is a loser in his own way, then choose and explain who you think the true loser is. Support your statements with examples and quotes from "The Loser."

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