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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. Where did Nicholas meet Captain Lebyatkin?

2. How has Shatov prepared to defend himself against Stavrogin?

3. Who is Liputin?

4. What venture does Lisa approach Shatov for help with?

5. Why does Lisa approach Shatov?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Peter mentions that Stepan believes that Dasha has fallen into disrepute in Switzerland?

2. How would you characterize the opposition between Stepan and Peter?

3. How does Stavrogin try to avoid the duel with Gaganov?

4. What does Stavrogin tell Dasha after the duel?

5. What is Julia Lembke's relationship with the youth of her town?

6. What do people have to do to gain admission to the fête, and how are people finding money for the fête?

7. How does Stepan Verkhovensky react to having his house raided?

8. What does Peter tell us about Nicholas Stavrogin's relationship with Miss Lebyatkin?

9. How does Stepan Verhovensky feel about Verkhovensky's marriage to Dasha?

10. What is Kirilov's view of life, and how does Peter respond to it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What images or symbols repeat throughout The Possessed? How are images built into symbols, and what symbolic resonance do images acquire? Choose three images, and describe the symbolic associations the obtain throughout the book.

Essay Topic 2

Is there a consistent morality in The Possessed? Do violent people always pay a price for their acts of violence? Are criminals and scoundrels always caught and punished, or made to suffer somehow? Is innocent suffering redeemed?

Essay Topic 3

How are women depicted in The Possessed? Are they mere symbols of sexual attributes like desirability and innocence and seduction, or are they individuals with complex feelings and thoughts? How are they distinguished from the male characters, or are they treated as similarly-independent, self-reliant souls?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 887 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample