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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 Mrs. Peachum tell Mr. Peachum Polly gets married?

2. What play is The Threepenny Opera based upon?

3. In what city does The Threepenny Opera take place?

4. What is the celebration for in Act One Scene Two?

5. What "surprise gift" do the thugs uncover at the end of Act One Scene Two?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Polly tell her parents about her marriage?

2. Why does Brecht choose to interrupt the action with songs? What effect does this achieve?

3. Describe how Macheath is arrested in Act Two Scene Five.

4. What do Jenny and Mrs. Peachum argue about in Act Three Scene Seven?

5. What does Mrs. Peachum tell Polly about Macheath's history?

6. Who sings "The Song of Insufficiency of Human Endeavor"? What is the song about?

7. Who comes to see Macheath in the last scene? Why?

8. What are the list of charges against Macheath? How does he respond to them?

9. What is the last song Macheath sings? What is it about?

10. Describe Macheath's relationship to Jenny.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the major conflict in The Threepenny Opera? Define this conflict in both literal terms and symbolic or figurative terms. Where does the conflict arise? Which characters are in conflict? How?

Essay Topic 2

Describe how exposition is illustrated in The Threepenny Opera. What does "Exposition" mean? What are the different methods of exposition and what is the primary method implemented in The Threepenny Opera?

Essay Topic 3

Describe examples of how Brecht's life is reflected in The Threepenny Opera. How are his political beliefs reflected? How is his personal life reflected? How does he reflect upon his career in the play?

(see the answer keys)

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