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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 does Sabine call Dot?

2. Sabine dreams that she is in the snow with whom?

3. What does Sabine note about the woman she sees in the kitchen?

4. What is the homeland of Sabine's parents?

5. Where is Parsifal's hometown?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Sabine make the decision to visit the Fetters family?

2. How does The Magician's Assistant begin?

3. What does Phan tell Sabine about Parsifal coming around when he returns to her in a dream?

4. What had Parsifal always told Sabine about his family?

5. Why is lunch at the Magic Castle a bittersweet experience for Sabine?

6. What are Sabine's perceptions of Kitty?

7. Why did Parsifal leave home at an early age never to return?

8. How does Sabine meet Parsifal's sister, Kitty?

9. Why did Sabine marry Parsifal, a gay man?

10. What does Phan's dream visit mean for Sabine?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the role of the women in the novel, specifically, how did Dot's life differ from that of Sabine's in the next generation? In what ways is Dot's life mirrored in Kitty's life? What roles do family, culture and experiences play in forming a woman's character and life story?

Essay Topic 2

Create a character study of Dot. What are her physical characteristics? What are her motivations? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Dot?

Essay Topic 3

THE MAGICIAN'S ASSISTANT is a classic story of loss and renewal. What does that classification entail? Why does this novel fit into this category? Explain.

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