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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 does Vincent do for a living?

2. What is the only thing glorified by European thought?

3. With what did Socrates' life end.

4. What can an artist do in the world of today?

5. What misconception of himself does the artist have?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is peculiar about the built environment of Oran, according to Camus?

2. Of what does Camus accuse the Marxists in Section III of The Artist and his Time?

3. Does Camus see himself as a romantic?

4. To what do love, peace and beauty form the antidote?

5. What is the overall impression the reader has of Oran and its people?

6. What lies 'beyond the yellow walls of Oran'?

7. Explain the attraction the desert has for thinking human beings.

8. What is suggested about the Algiers community by Camus' reference to the colors seen on the beaches in summer?

9. Comment on the force of the phrase 'indulge in a swim' rather than 'go for a swim'.

10. What does Camus mean when he says that the 'tyrannies of today are improved'?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role and responsibility of the artist in the modern world. Has anything in the context changed since Camus' death fifty years ago? How politically aware and involved should the artist allow himself or herself to be? What intellectual and physical dangers might be faced by the politically involved artist and should this matter?

Essay Topic 2

Camus' work has within it much that is lyrical in its description of place. Choose a short passage from either his essay on Algiers, Oran or Tipasa and analyse its literary qualities. You will need to comment on word choice, sentence structure, use of imagery and symbolism in the passage. Look also for scenic and emotional contrasts.

Essay Topic 3

'It is possible to classify much of Camus' writing as 'prose poetry' because of its poetic qualities.' To what extent would you agree with this comment? Does his writing indeed possess poetic qualities? You will need to look at his use of imagery, figurative language, structure and level of language (diction). This might best be approached by analyzing one or two passages of your choice.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 991 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample