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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 trait of a married woman was under discussion in Chapter 25?

2. Who did Ulrich meet and become attracted to in Chapter 22?

3. Where did Musil relocate when the Nazis' power grew?

4. How many children did the woman who rescued Ulrich have?

5. Who was on trial in Chapter 30?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Bonadea.

2. Describe Diotima's change into maturity at the beginning of Chapter 25.

3. Why was Clarisse sad about Walter by Chapter 15 and 16?

4. Why did Soliman get jealous and angry when he grew up?

5. Describe Ulrich's lack of concern for Bonadea and its effect on their relationship in Chapter 29.

6. What took Moosbrugger back into the public limelight in Chapter 53?

7. What made Arnheim famous in Chapter 48?

8. How did the Count handle his correspondence in Chapter 58?

9. What did Musil say about philosophers' take on violent people in Chapter 64?

10. Why did Musil move back to Austria, and how did that affect his work?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of Ulrich. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him at this point in his life?

Essay Topic 2

Murder and violence appear throughout The Man Without Qualities. Who commits murder? Who is violent? In what ways are characters violent or abusive? What is their effect on other characters and their lives? Do those characters change over time? Why or why not? Describe.

Essay Topic 3

Power in society is a prevailing theme in The Man Without Qualities. Musil frequently refers to that theme, painting the picture of the monarchy's last days in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the need to preserve order in a shaken world. Which characters appear honest and which appear corrupt. Why? Which characters appear to rise above corruption even if they are initially vulnerable to it? What is your opinion of the society that Musil describes? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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