View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What comment does Camus make about Greek tragedy?
(a) It is over-estimated.
(b) It is too culturally specific to be useful.
(c) It is obscure, hard to comprehend.
(d) It is rich in lessons.

2. What has Camus to say about Kirilov's reasoning?
(a) It is ridiculous, but must be considered.
(b) It should be the basis of further discussion.
(c) It is absurd, but it is necessary.
(d) It is rational and therefore necessary.

3. What sacrifice does Loyola say God rejoices in?
(a) The sacrifice of the intellect.
(b) The sacrifice of celibacy.
(c) The sacrifice of hope.
(d) The sacrifice of humility?

4. What is Camus' view concerning the idea that the artist can be detached from his work?
(a) He supports the idea.
(b) He believes the idea warrants closer examination.
(c) He believes this idea is outmoded and false.
(d) He believes this is essential in being able to form and utter critique.

5. What is the hero's great fear following his transformation?
(a) His mother's tears.
(b) His boss' anger.
(c) That his girlfriend will find out.
(d) His father's anger.

6. What quality does Camus call 'the fatal evasion'?
(a) Despair.
(b) Hope.
(c) Mendacity.
(d) Faith.

7. How does Camus summarize the actor's art?
(a) As the ability to simulate absolutely.
(b) As an absurd illusion.
(c) As the ability to represent faithfully.
(d) As dangerous counterfeit.

8. How does Camus classify regret?
(a) As being akin to grief, therefore dangerous.
(b) As sin.
(c) As another form of hope.
(d) As mere sentimentality.

9. How does Camus see Sisyphus vis-a-vis his fate?
(a) Sisyphus is a victim of playful gods.
(b) Sisyphus is crushed by the rock.
(c) Sisyphus is superior to his fate.
(d) Sisyphus is crushed by his fate.

10. According to Camus, what is the most obvious symbol in The Trial?
(a) An insect.
(b) Shame.
(c) A knife.
(d) Naturalness.

11. What is the legendary Faust remembered for?
(a) As an alchemist.
(b) Selling his soul to the Devil.
(c) Killing his mistress.
(d) Living for a very long time.

12. Which philosopher claims that anxiety is at the source of everything?
(a) St. Augustine.
(b) Heidegger.
(c) Aristotle.
(d) Sartre.

13. What does Camus suggest happens in bad novels?
(a) Dialogue is poorly written and often inappropriate to character.
(b) There is substantial over-writing, especially with descriptive passages.
(c) There is too much emphasis on structure.
(d) Thought becomes more important than style.

14. In what way are people's minds related?
(a) Through common purpose.
(b) Through common contradictions.
(c) Through common beliefs and visions.
(d) Through the collective unconscious.

15. What binds a man to the absurd?
(a) His consciousness of it.
(b) His sentient nature regarding death.
(c) Philosophy.
(d) His intelligence.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the condemned man's last words?

2. Once, how were the condemned spared the sight of the scaffold?

3. What would make man feel alienated in the universe?

4. What common quality can be found in Kafka, Proust and Plotinus?

5. Who is the hero of Metamorphosis?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 546 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample