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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. Harry tells the woman that the first thing he did to deserve his fate was not putting what on his wound when he first scratched himself?

2. Where does Harry recall living at Christmas in a woodcutter’s house?

3. In one flashback, Harry recalls “the man who had the fox to sell when they had walked into” what town?

4. When Harry offers Compton breakfast at the end of the story, Compton only accepts what?

5. When Harry’s mistress says in the beginning of the story, “Please tell me what I can do,” Harry responds that she can take his leg off or do what?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is death symbolized in “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”? What animal in the story’s ending represents death?

2. What elements of Harry’s past show the greatest impact on him as a character?

3. Describe Harry’s memory of the officer named Williamson. What did Harry give Williamson?

4. Discuss the historical context of the story. How is Harry’s story reflective of the global climate at this time?

5. How is the theme of death illustrated in the ending of the story? What is ironic about this depiction?

6. How is the theme of death depicted from the opening of the story?

7. What imagery in the story forms its strongest symbolic element?

8. Discuss Harry’s regrets in the story. How do Harry’s regrets correlate with the presence of death?

9. What does the narrator note about Harry’s profession of love to his female companion?

10. What do you think the imagery at the end of the novel (when Harry is on the plane) represents?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of “wasted talent” seen in “The Snows of Kilimanjaro.” Whom does Harry blame for his wasted talent initially? How does he feel this waste is the fault of his own? How does this theme relate to Harry’s decision to come to Africa?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the character of Molo in the narrative. What language does Molo speak? What is his role in the plot of the narrative? Why do you think the author included this character in his minimalist story?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the symptoms, treatments, and history of gangrene. How common in gangrene today? What treatments would have been available to Harry during the time of the story? How much time would Harry have had to get medical treatment in order to have lived?

(see the answer keys)

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