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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. For how many days does Nella pretend to sleep when Marin comes to sit on the end of the bed?

2. From what language does Johannes say the dogs' names are culled?

3. What is NOT one of the items Nella requests in her first order from the miniaturist?

4. How does Nella locate the miniaturist who becomes a major and enigmatic part of the narrative?

5. Marin tells Nella that women can do nothing, and that only if they are very lucky can they even do what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Johannes's reply when Nella asks him whether they are rich?

2. What is Otto's history?

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

4. How does Nella feel when Marin reveals that she has known all along that her brother Johannes is gay?

5. What does Nella mean when she opines that "home is nowhere" (114) for her now?

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

7. What warning does Otto issue to Nella concerning her parakeet and Marin?

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

9. Describe the character of Agnes Meerman.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

How do the themes of deception and secrecy function within the novel and what is the author's message regarding these themes?

Essay Topic 3

Write a critical essay about the novel while using the critical power theory lens of feminist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of gender roles, the depiction of the oppression of women, female empowerment, misogyny's role within society, or any other issues related to feminist theory that can be found in the book.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 988 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample