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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. Who drags Nella out of the room after Nella discovers Johannes engaged in oral sex with someone else?

2. When Johannes kisses Nella for the first time, what happens to interrupt their kiss?

3. What does Rezeki's name mean?

4. What is Marin's reply when Nella asks what would happen if Agnes and Frans found out about Johannes's homosexuality?

5. How old is Johannes at the time of his and Nella's wedding?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Nella's parakeet Peebo symbolize?

2. How does Nella characterize the people in her life in relation to dwelling on the past?

3. What is Otto's history?

4. For what reason does Nella decide to visit Johannes at his work?

5. Describe the character of Agnes Meerman.

6. What is the significance of Nella's lute performance during the Meermans' visit?

7. For what reason is Nella reluctant to answer Agnes's question about who made Nella's miniatures?

8. What does the herring served within the Brandt household symbolize?

9. Describe Marin's character.

10. How do Nella's expectations of Marin's reaction differ from Marin's real reaction when Nella tells her about Johannes's homosexuality?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Trace the characterization arc of Nella's character throughout the novel. Discuss whether she is a round or flat character and whether she is a static or dynamic character.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the author's focus on the theme of family and the household. What message is the author sending about one or both of these themes?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author's choice to tell the story of The Miniaturist using the third-person omniscient point of view. What elements of the novel's themes lend themselves to this choice and what are the author's intended effects on the reader?

(see the answer keys)

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