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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 type of music is played before the fight?

2. What comment does Camus make concerning the end of history?

3. Where did Sakyamuni meditate?

4. What is meant by 'quixotism'?

5. What significant thing concerning Socrates does Camus refer to?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what respects does Camus state that Algiers is capable of gratifying every human wish?

2. Comment on the title of the essay 'Helen's Exile'.

3. In what way is Camus' comments about Algerian youth tempered by sadness?

4. What does Camus take away from his visit to Tipasa?

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

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

7. What, according to Camus, is paradoxical about the crowded city of Oran, and crowded cities in general?

8. What has Camus to say about the shops in Oran?

9. What 'two thirsts' has Camus been able to slake through his visit to Tipasa?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

'Philosophy is simultaneously important and unimportant.' Can you explain the apparent paradox in this statement? You should make close reference to Camus' absurdist beliefs as expounded in The Myth of Sisyphus. You might like to consider what other paradoxes appear in this work and discuss the possibility of these being resolved.

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

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?

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