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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which text does Stillman use as the basis of his argument about the fall of man in his book?
(a) Milton's Paradise Lost.
(b) Flaubert's Madame Bovary.
(c) Dante's Divine Comedy.
(d) Tolstoy's Anna Karenina.

2. Why does Stillman choose to carry out his project in New York?
(a) Because it is the financial capital of the nation.
(b) Because he has family there.
(c) Because brokeness is everywhere in the city.
(d) Because he is a Mets fan.

3. After Quinn runs out of money and leaves the alleyway, he sees his reflection in a mirror. His own image reminds him of whom?
(a) Don Quixote.
(b) Robinson Crusoe.
(c) Peter Stillman.
(d) Jonathon Swift.

4. During their third and final meeting in Chapter 9, what name does Quinn give to Stillman?
(a) Peter Stillman.
(b) Max Work.
(c) William Wilson.
(d) Henry Dark.

5. At the end of Chapter 13, what is the relationship between the narrator and Paul Auster?
(a) They are brothers.
(b) They are lovers.
(c) They are enemies.
(d) They are friends.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Stillman, what secret reference do the initials H.D. have?

2. What happens each time Auster tries to reach Virginia Stillman by telephone in Chapter 11?

3. In Chapter 8, what time does Stillman begin his daily walks?

4. When Quinn first meets Peter Stillman, what color does he associate with him?

5. What do Auster and the narrator find in the Stillman's apartment?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Stillman invent the persona of Henry Dark? What significance does this name have?

2. After losing track of Stillman, who does Quinn seek out for advice on the Stillman case? Why does he think this person will be able to help him?

3. In Chapter 13, where does Quinn go? What does he do there?

4. While Quinn is living in the alleyway in Chapter 12, what is his sleep schedule like? How is he able to measure the amount of time he has been sleeping?

5. Why is Virginia Stillman scared when Quinn calls her at the end of Chapter 9? What makes her think that Stillman may have contacted Peter?

6. In the telephone calls in Chapter 1, with whom is Quinn confused? What is the nature of this person's work?

7. According to Peter, what was his father's motivation for locking him up in the dark for so many years? Was he successful?

8. Where does Stillman go after leaving Grand Central Station? Why is Quinn surprised by this?

9. What is unusual about the relationship between Peter Stillman and his wife Virginia? What does Virginia do to make their relationship work?

10. What is the message spelled out by the letters of the maps in Chapter 8? What does this message reveal to Quinn about Stillman?

(see the answer keys)

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