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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. Why does Chestov think we turn to God?

2. How does Kafka express the absurd?

3. According to Camus, what is an important relationship between The Trial and The Castle?

4. What embodies 'a drama of the intelligence', according to Camus?

5. When did Sisyphus test his wife's love?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is The Trial about?

2. How does Camus account for the promiscuity of don Juan?

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

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

5. What does humanity need to do in order to understand the world?

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

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

8. What, for humanity, are the consequences of living in a world stripped of illusion?

9. What is absurd man and how can he deal with his predicament?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

'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.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the idea that Camus' essay Summer in Algiers is a celebration of youth in North Africa. You will need to consider if this is so, or if the statement goes too far. Are Camus' comments and assessments positive? Are they biased? Are they balanced? What yardstick does Camus apply when making his observations?

(see the answer keys)

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