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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Lisa Tushin challenge Stavrogin to do?

2. Where does Stepan Verkhovensky set off for after the fête?

3. What do the police take from Peter Verkhovensky's house?

4. What is the real purpose of the gathering at Virginsky's house?

5. Who do the townspeople believe killed Mary and Captain Lebyatkin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Dostoevsky's perspective on the action in The Possessed? Is he narrating in all seriousness, or is he ironically or satirically detached from his characters?

Essay Topic 2

What role does innocence play in The Possessed? Is it always sacrificed, as Mary Lebyatkin and Shatov are? Does it endure anywhere, in spite of Mary and Shatov's murders?

Essay Topic 3

Are Shatov and Stepan Verkhovensky heroes in The Possessed? Why or why not? Are Peter Verkhovensky and Stavrogin heroes? Are they villains?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 213 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample