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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 did Margot once live in this city?
2. What signs does Margot see in the city?
3. What is Margot drawn to when she is exploring because they are done by a woman named Lucia?
4. What does Madre Badessa ask Margot to do?
5. Why does Margot visit Villa I Tatti?
Short Essay Questions
1. What are Margot's impressions of Professor Eugene Chapin?
2. About what does Margot become curious while working at the convent, and what does she learn?
3. What does Margot decide to do in Chapter 1 and who is against her doing so?
4. Discuss the significance of Señor Bruni in Margot's life as a teenager.
5. What does Margot's new living quarters remind her of and how does she change that?
6. What do Margot and Madre Badessa discuss concerning the nuns' vows?
7. Why are two of the postulants in trouble?
8. Where does Margot end up staying and what does she do on her first morning in Florence?
9. What is the significance of the cassette tapes when Margot's mother is dying?
10. Describe Margot's discussion of the library with Madre Badessa.
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
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?
Essay Topic 2
The Sixteen Pleasures could be said to be a "bildungsroman" of Margot. Discuss the following:
1. Define the concepts "bildungsroman" and "coming of age."
2. Thoroughly trace and analyze The Sixteen Pleasures as a bildungsroman of Margot. Give specific examples. What does Margot learn? How has she changed? Is the change for the better?
3. Thoroughly trace and analyze The Sixteen Pleasures as a psychological study. Give specific examples. What is Margot's emotional/psychological state at the beginning of The Sixteen Pleasures? At the end? What would a psychologist say about Margot's actions? Alessandro's actions? Discuss three other characters in addition to Margot and Alessandro in relation to their emotional/psychological characteristics.
Essay Topic 3
Setting as far as place and time play an important role in The Sixteen Pleasures. Discuss the following:
1. Compare/contrast several aspects of the setting of that time (1966s) from how it would be today. Consider things such as cultural norms/expectations, technology, religion and medicine.
2. Do you think The Sixteen Pleasures would be different if it were set in the United States? Consider the cultural differences as you discuss the way the story would change is set in the United States.
3. Discuss some of the differences between the United States and Italy of the late 1960s, as far as the relationship between men and women and gender expectations. What are some similarities? (This essay topic will require some research).
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This section contains 1,215 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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