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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 does Lucia live?

2. What is one thing Margot learns about the Catholic Church?

3. Who speaks to Margo in French?

4. What does the train conductor tell Margot a bit later?

5. Why does Margot almost miss the train as it is leaving a scheduled stop?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Margot respond to working at the convent?

2. What do Margot and Madre Badessa discuss concerning the nuns' vows?

3. What is the significance of Harvard University to Margot?

4. What did Alessandro do on the day of the November 4th flood?

5. What are Margot's impressions of Professor Eugene Chapin?

6. How does the situation about the cassette tapes affect Margot's life even years later?

7. What does Margot's new living quarters remind her of and how does she change that?

8. Where does Margot end up staying and what does she do on her first morning in Florence?

9. How is the monastery partially responsible for the possible damage to some of their frescoes?

10. Who is Margeaux, and describe a scene that Margeaux is good at.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation whereby Alessandro pleads impotence as a reason for the annulment from his wife, then he is actually impotent with his lover, Margot. What are three other examples of irony in The Sixteen Pleasures? How does irony create a more complex plot? More complex characters? Does irony create a more interesting story? Why or why not.

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use of and meaning of five symbols found in The Sixteen Pleasures.

3. Discuss the use of foreshadowing in literature. What is the purpose of foreshadowing? Cite four examples of foreshadowing and how it is used to indicate events to come in The Sixteen Pleasures. How do you feel as a reader if you think something is foreshadowed that is never addressed in the story? How do you feel as a reader if a major event occurs with no hint of it whatsoever earlier?

Essay Topic 2

Titles can often say much about a story. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think there is something ironic about the title The Sixteen Pleasures? Why or why not. Discuss fully.

2. What do you think are the Sixteen Pleasures? How do the sixteen pleasures relate to three of the main characters? Two of the minor characters?

3. Thoroughly discuss whether you think the title of the book is the best one possible and why. Why do you think the book is titled The Sixteen Pleasures? Would you be interested in reading this book if you saw it on the library shelf?

4. Discuss the title of the book in relation to the theme of religion. How are the two connected? Do you think religion as it is represented in The Sixteen Pleasures is contrary to the idea of pleasure? Who among the religious orders do you think would believe pleasure is a positive thing to seek? Who do you think would believe one should deny themselves pleasure? Discuss thoroughly with examples.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels and short stories have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of The Sixteen Pleasures, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in The Sixteen Pleasures. (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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