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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 does Madre Badessa ask Margot to do?
2. What does Margot think she and the sisters will need in the library?
3. Where does Margot find Alessandro?
4. What did Alessandro do on the day of the flood?
5. What does Margot do while riding the train?
Short Essay Questions
1. Where does Margot end up staying and what does she do on her first morning in Florence?
2. Describe Margot's discussion of the library with Madre Badessa.
3. How is the monastery partially responsible for the possible damage to some of their frescoes?
4. Why are two of the postulants in trouble?
5. How does Margot react to the book that the postulants keep over night, and what is Madre Badessa's reaction?
6. Why is Margot drawn to some frescoes she views in the convent and how is that uncharacteristic of her?
7. Describe the scene when the taxi gets a flat tire.
8. What does Margot discover about the way the nuns work and how does Margot react?
9. Who is Margeaux, and describe a scene that Margeaux is good at.
10. How does Margot respond to working at the convent?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Discuss one of the following:
1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in The Sixteen Pleasures.
2. Trace and analyze one major theme of The Sixteen Pleasures. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?
3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of v. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?
Essay Topic 2
In Chapter 5, when Margot joins some nuns in the library, she, at first, thinks that they need a man with some strength to help take apart the bookshelves that have swelled. The nuns show her how to readjust her thinking to make the task manageable without a man. Discuss the following:
1. There is a proverb of unknown origin that reads, "necessity is the mother of invention." Relate this proverb to the situation in the library and in your own life.
2. It is generally accepted that most men have greater brute strength than most women (but not all by any means). How do you think this fact has impacted gender roles throughout the ages? Discuss thoroughly.
3. Margot, who loves men and finds them very attractive and likes their company, naturally thinks first of getting help from a male when a task needing strength arises. The nuns, on the other hand, who are restricted in their interaction with men, do not even thing in terms of having one come in to do the work that requires strength or courage. Men, on the other hand, tend to think of asking a woman for help when it comes to cooking or sewing or something that requires sensitivity. These statements are generalizations and there are many exceptions, but think of them in terms of general truths. Discuss the following question: How do these type of generalizations (men to women and women to men) tend to perpetuate gender polarization in various cultures. Is it healthy to perpetuate such ideas? Why or why not? Discuss in relation to The Sixteen Pleasures and in relation to your own culture and experiences.
Essay Topic 3
Discuss the following:
1. Thoroughly discuss the character Margot. What are her strengths? Weaknesses? How does she evolve over the course of the story? Is she likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Do you think she is a protagonist or antagonist? Why
2. Thoroughly discuss the character Alessandro. What are his strengths? Weaknesses? How does he evolve over the course of the story? (or does he?) Is he likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Is he trustworthy? Wise? Would you want him as a friend? As an enemy?
3. Thoroughly discuss two characters of your choosing. What are their strengths? Weaknesses? How do they evolve over the course of the story? (or do they?) Are they likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Are they trustworthy? Wise? Would you want them as friends? Are they likely to be enemies?
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This section contains 1,280 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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