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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 embodies 'a drama of the intelligence', according to Camus?
(a) A work of art.
(b) A marvel of engineering.
(c) The great scientific discoveries.
(d) The plays of Shakespeare.

2. Who is the protagonist in The Trial?
(a) Oscar W.
(b) Michael K.
(c) Joseph K.
(d) K. M. Joseph.

3. Why did the gods view Sisyphus' punishment as particularly dreadful?
(a) It involved immense pain.
(b) It was unfair relative to his crime.
(c) It involved futile and hopeless labor.
(d) They saw their mistake but were unable to change things.

4. What 'two worlds' does Kafka present in his novels?
(a) Everyday life and transcendent ecstasy.
(b) The absurd and the prosaic.
(c) Anxiety and the absurd.
(d) Everyday life and supernatural anxiety.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What phenomenon can humans have no experience of?

2. What is the most harrowing passion of all?

3. What does Camus suggest happens in bad novels?

4. What comment of Nietzsche's does Camus make reference to near the beginning of the chapter on Philosophy and Fiction?

5. What has Camus to say about Kirilov's reasoning?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Camus say is tiresome about the human heart (p. 115 of the Penguin edition)?

2. Why does Camus call Prometheus the 'first of modern conquerors'?

3. According to Camus, should don Juan be punished?

4. Why is Sisyphus completely appropriate as the absurd hero?

5. What were Sisyphus's sins against the gods, for which he was punished?

6. How does Camus view the novel as an artistic endeavor?

7. In mentioning the Diary (p. 100 of the Penguin edition), to what does Camus draw attention?

8. Why is the fame of a writer likely to endure and that of an actor not to do so?

9. How does Camus differ from many other commentators when considering the work of Kafka?

10. According to Camus, what is the one serious problem for philosophy?

(see the answer keys)

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