View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why did the gods view Sisyphus' punishment as particularly dreadful?

2. What is the main idea in the final paragraph of the essay 'The Myth of Sisyphus'?

3. What does Homer have to say about Sisyphus?

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

5. Who is the protagonist in The Trial?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is particularly interesting and unusual about Sisyphus and his paradoxical happiness in his fate?

2. What does Nietzsche mean when he says 'Great problems are in the street'?

3. Why does Camus wonder if an absurd work of art is truly possible?

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

5. According to Camus, what must we take into consideration when reading the works of Franz Kafka?

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

7. In an absurd universe, are all actions permitted?

8. How did Sisyphus attempt to test his wife's love?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Account for Camus' interest in the work of Russian writer Dostoevsly. For what reasons does Camus choose to refer frequently to this novelist? To what extent is an appreciation of Dostoevsky required to understand Camus' position on The Absurd?

Essay Topic 2

Viewing this collection of Albert Camus' essays as a whole, how would you assess their importance in relation to current attitudes to the meaning of life, non-violence and conservation. This essay is a high-order task. You will need to demonstrate your deep understanding of the work you have studied. In preparation, you should review and reflect upon the central issues dealt with in Camus' work and check that you thoroughly understand his continual reference to the myths and philosophy of Ancient Greece.

Essay Topic 3

What would Camus like the societies of North Africa and Europe to learn from each other and from Ancient Greece? In your answer, you should make extensive reference to Camus' essays Summer in Algiers, The Minotaur, Helen's Exile and Return to Tipasa. You should also consider what our own society might learn.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,003 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample