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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. What comment does Camus make concerning suffering?

2. What does Camus see as the one truly serious philosophical problem?

3. In The Castle, what is significant about the character Amalia?

4. What has been the focus of don Juan's existence?

5. What argument does Camus dismiss as 'a matter of profound indifference'?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is Camus' basic criticism of phenomenology?

4. What two views of Sisyphus are mentioned by Camus?

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

6. How does Camus describe the Church's treatment of heretics?

7. What is The Trial about?

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

9. What important feature of Dostoevsky's work does Camus explore in the section entitled 'Kirilov'?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

'Camus combines the sensual, spiritual and the intellectual in his collection of essays The Myth of Sisyphus.' Argue for the truth of this statement by close reference to three of the essays. You will need to explain and comment upon Camus' point of view regarding The Absurd, his admiration of Ancient Greek Culture and his evocative descriptive writing.

Essay Topic 2

'Fame is the spur that leads men on'. Discuss. There are different kinds of fame you could consider. You might consider that perhaps the pursuit of fame is a way some people confirm the significance of their lives. What are the gains to be had through fame? These could be material, but also perhaps spiritual--depending on the type of fame enjoyed.

Essay Topic 3

'Camus' use of Franz Kafka's work is particularly apt when we consider the idea of the absurd world.' Discuss the way Camus cites Kafka in the course of his exposition on the absurd. You will need to relate characters and incidents to ideas expressed by Camus. You will also need to consider implications of those ideas. It is important, too, to include any necessary critique of the way Camus has referred to Kafka's work.

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This section contains 990 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample