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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. Where did Musil spend most of his life?

2. Who was on trial in Chapter 30?

3. What was different about Diotoma compared to many women of her social sphere in Chapter 25?

4. Which of the following was Robert Musil's nationality?

5. Which of the following statements best describes what the Count said to Diotoma about her idea in Chapter 25?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Clarisse compare her husband with Ulrich in Chapter 15?

2. Why did Ulrich separate himself from Arnheim in Chapter 42?

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

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

5. What did Ulrich think about engineering in Chapter 11?

6. In Chapter 30 during Moosbrugger's trial, what was brought to light as having strange effects?

7. Describe Diotima and Ulrich's relationship in Chapter 67.

8. Describe the contrast that Diotima experienced in her relationship with her husband and the Count regarding her new salon business venture.

9. Describe the premise behind Moosbrugger's sentence in Chapter 60.

10. How did the author show that the nouveau rich had improved their castles in Chapter 68?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Moosbrugger. What is his role in The Man Without Qualities? What was Musil trying to accomplish by creating Moosbrugger's character in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

There are many autobiographical features in The Man Without Qualities that are believed to belong to Musil. Which aspects appear invented, and which characters seem modeled or inspired by real people in Musil's life? Conduct some research and discuss.

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.

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