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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 the Priest call out as K. attempts to slip out of the cathedral in “In the Cathedral”?

2. How long does Herr Block say his trial has been going on in “Block, the Corn Merchant – The Dismissal of the Lawyer”?

3. In the end of “Block, the Corn Merchant – The Dismissal of the Lawyer,” Leni tells Block to leave what alone and listen to the lawyer?

4. By what nickname does the narrator say K. used to refer to his uncle as in “His Uncle – Leni”?

5. How old is Erna said to be in “His Uncle – Leni”?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Block explain the predominance of superstition amongst the defendants in “Block, the Corn Merchant – The Dismissal of the Lawyer”?

2. What does the character of Titorelli represent symbolically in The Trial?

3. In what ways does K. demonstrate the theme of the individual versus society in The Trial?

4. How is the character of Leni described in “His Uncle – Leni”?

5. How can K.’s character be seen as a reflection of Adam from the Bible in The Trial?

6. What does Titorelli explain to K. about the nature of the system in “The Lawyer – The Factory-Owner – The Painter”?

7. How does the ambiguous court system in The Trial relate to the historical context of anti-Semitism?

8. What does Uncle Karl relate to K. about his actions and their reflection on the family in “His Uncle – Leni”?

9. How does the parable from “In the Cathedral” relate to the story as a whole?

10. How is the setting described in the opening of “The End”? Where is K. taken?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine and discuss K.’s actions, objectives, and obstacles in returning to the court in the opening of “In the Empty Conference Hall – The Student – The Offices.” Why does K. assume the courtroom will be in session? What are his concerns about returning? What does he find at this location?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the character of Josef K. as the protagonist of The Trial. What was K.’s life like prior to the arrival of the guards that appear in “The Arrest”? What is K.’s position within his society? What do you find to be K.’s “fatal flaw” in the story?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the characters of Franz and Willem in the novel. Why does K. attempt to save Franz and Willem from the Thrasher? How have the demeanors of these characters changed since their initial introduction in “The Arrest”? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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