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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. What did the narrator decide not to sell?

2. Who did improve his talents through isolation?

3. Who's lunch did the narrator refuse?

4. How did the innkeeper's husband die?

5. What reason does the narrator repeatedly give for Wertheimer's suicide?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how the narrator feels about his depression.

2. Discuss Wertheimer's religious views.

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

4. How does the narrator feel about Desselbrunn?

5. Compare and contrast the isolation of Wertheimer and Glenn.

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

7. Why does the narrator not fit in among people in the inn?

8. What was significant of what Wertheimer did not leave behind?

9. How did Wertheimer feel about his unhappiness?

10. How is the innkeeper a contradictory character?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does solitude play an important role among all three friends? Specifically include examples that show each friend in a moment of solitude. Support your statements with examples and quotes from "The Loser."

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how the role of revenge is a part of "The Loser." Who demonstrates acts of revenge and are they effective? Support your statements with examples and quotes from "The Loser."

Essay Topic 3

Explain how the last scene of "The Loser" supports the entire theme and motifs of the novel. Give detailed examples of why Bernhard chose to end his novel the way he does. Support your statements with examples and quotes from "The Loser."

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