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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. What sacrifice does Loyola say God rejoices in?

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

4. Why are European cemeteries hideous?

5. Who is the protagonist in The Trial?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. In what ways is Sisyphus a rebel?

7. Why does Camus claim that there can be no experience of death?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is your attitude to Camus' definition of the absurd? Do you think his argument is valid? What is your opinion of the examples he gives? Would you be likely to argue from a different point of view? Why or why not? Call your essay 'My response th the absurd'.

Essay Topic 2

'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 3

'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.

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