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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. When does Matins take place?

2. Where does William want to go that night in ‘Second Day’?

3. Who is Ubertino obsessed with?

4. Why does Adso hallucinate in the library?

5. Who provides the key to entering the library in ‘Second Day’?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Jorge so unnerving?

2. What does William help the Cellarer to find?

3. What does Berengar think he saw in ‘Second Day’?

4. Who originally translated the book?

5. Who, in ‘Second Day,’ reveals that the library is a labyrinth?

6. How did Venantius die?

7. How does it look like Venantius died?

8. What is William’s first conclusion about Adso’s death?

9. What must the men pass through to reach the library at night?

10. What do the monks debate at the first dinner?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The monks debate Jesus’s laughter at great length. Why is such a seemingly small matter the subject of so much debate? What texts do they rely on to support their theories? What is the greater significance of their debates, and how often do they refer to these issues?

Essay Topic 2

Many people are suspected of murder in the book – and many of these suspects die. Compare and contrast the possible murderers and theories that the story presents, and describe the ultimate outcome, as well as Jorge’s professed motives.

Essay Topic 3

William is fascinated by machines and makes particular reference to some new inventions. What inventions does he mention? How does he treat them? What are the other monks’ reactions to these inventions? What is their greater, symbolic significance for the text?

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This section contains 431 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample