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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 Margot plan to return to the United States?

2. Why is Sandro declaring he is impotent?

3. Who does Margot want to say goodbye to in private?

4. What does Margot want to keep away from the Bishop?

5. Where are the workers getting ready to detach some frescoes?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Sandro's feelings change from the time of entering the annulment proceedings to after meeting with the judges?

2. What does Margot send to the Bishop and how does she convince him that it is Aretino?

3. How does Sandro rationalize his deciding not to propose to Margot?

4. What do Sandro and Margot do and what is Margot's response?

5. How does Margot act after Sandro has moved back to Rome?

6. Describe the first scene in Volmaro's office when Margot arrives to negotiate the sale of Aretino.

7. What do the judges decide about Sandro's annulment application?

8. What does Madre Badessa say about Aretino?

9. What does Margot ask Sandro as far as their visit to Volmaro and what is his reply?

10. How does Margot learn that Sandro has deceived her about Volmaro and what does Margot decide to do about selling the book to Volmaro?

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

Italy, which is very strongly Roman Catholic, has very strict divorce laws in the 1960s, and still stricter laws in the present day compared to the United States. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the divorce laws and options in Italy of the 1960s to the United States of the 1960s. How are the alike? Different? What do you think is the rationale for each country's divorce laws? Do you think Italian or American divorce laws in the 1960s were too strict? In the present day?

2. Compare/contrast the divorce laws and options in Italy of the 1960s to present-day Italy. How are the alike? Different? What do you think is the reason for their divorce laws? Do you think Italian divorce laws in the 1960s were too strict? In the present day?

3. Why do you think Alessandro is seeking an annulment to his marriage rather than a divorce? (this will require a little research). Do you agree with the judges' ruling? Should any couple be allowed to divorce just because one or both of them want a divorce? Why or why not. What is the purpose of making couples go through divorce? Does the idea of an annulment seem hypocritical in many cases? What about in Alessandro's case.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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