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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the subject of Fagerolles's latest painting?
(a) an actress looking in the mirror.
(b) a clown on a highwire.
(c) a clothed man and a nude woman.
(d) blue poplars and mauve ground.

2. What do Sandoz and Dubuche see in Claude's studio that captures their attention?
(a) a letter from the Salon committee.
(b) Claude's sketches of Christine.
(c) small paintings of the Cathedral of Notre Dame.
(d) left over croissants from his breakfast.

3. Why does Claude start going out alone to paint leaving Christine in the cottage?
(a) because she talks too much.
(b) because she keeps questioning his colors.
(c) because she is pregnant.
(d) because he wants to be alone.

4. What self imposed time limit has Claude put on finishing his painting called Open Air?
(a) six months.
(b) nine months.
(c) one year.
(d) six weeks.

5. How does Claude often see himself artistically?
(a) as the greatest living artist.
(b) as impotent.
(c) as ahead of his time.
(d) as needing more study.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who now has a mansion near Claude's and Christine's cottage?

2. What gift does Christine send Claude just before his opening in the Salon des Refusés?

3. How does Zola paint Claude Lantier's angst?

4. Who does Jory insist that Claude go with him to see?

5. Besides Jory, who else is vying for the attention of Mathilde?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the mood at the beginning of the novel.

2. Explain why Christine refuses to go sightseeing with Claude on the streets of Paris.

3. How is the neglect of Jacques symbolized?

4. How does Zola show that the young woman is a proper young lady and not a trollop as Claude suspects?

5. In what way is Christine's response to their love making a believable part of the story?

6. How does Dubuche's appearance at the Thursday night gathering indicate his ultimate destruction as an avant-guarde architect?

7. How has Fagerolles become swallowed up by the commercial world of art?

8. How is Sandoz, the one character besides Claude who remains steadfast to the revolt against romanticism, able to remain steadfast to their revolutionary ideas?

9. How is history repeated with Claude and his huge canvas?

10. What indicates that Claude would be perfectly happy just to see Christine from time to time rather than have her move in with him?

(see the answer keys)

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