View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is the narrator shocked when Irene comes to the house?

2. Where would Odilo Unverdorben stay in Italy?

3. From whom does Tod Friendly get a letter every year?

4. What does the narrator wish he could say to Irene?

5. How often does "the Agent" visit Hamilton de Souza/John Young?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the narrator think about Tod Friendly's dreams and memories?

2. What does the narrator understand about sex?

3. Describe the narrator's mindset at the beginning of the novel.

4. Describe some cases in which characters are wistful about the past.

5. Does Tod Friendly/John Young seem to be a good person?

6. Describe John Young's departure from Europe.

7. When is Tod Friendly/John Young happy?

8. How does John Young's relationship with Irene progress?

9. What do Tod Friendly/John Young/Hamilton de Souza/Odilo Unverdorben's name changes tell us about his character?

10. How does the narrator experience Tod's relationship with food?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Irene and Herta both have children whom they cannot keep. Compare and contrast the effects of this loss on Herta and Irene. How is the experience similar for the two women? How is it different? How does it affect their lives and their relationships with Odilo Unverdorben?

Essay Topic 2

What would you have done if you were Odilo Unverdorben's age in Germany when the Nazis were coming to power? Given what you know about the progressively tighter restrictions on Jews' behavior, would you have followed along, or would you have kept yourself apart from the fascism, or would you have resisted it? Cite instances from the book of the kinds of choices you would have faced, and cite instances from your own experience as you discuss how you would have faced them.

Essay Topic 3

By the time he gets to America as John Young and then Tod Friendly, Odilo Unverdorben is on a mission to redeem himself.

1. Whose forgiveness does he seek? Does he attain it from them? Why or why not?

2. Who would Odilo have had to go to, to get forgiveness? Is there anyone with authority who could absolve him of his actions?

3. Is it enough that Odilo tries to redeem himself? Do his actions balance each other? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 877 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample