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. What was Mrs. Kloterjahn's first symptom?

2. Where does the writer display his book?

3. Why is Mr. Spinell at Einfried?

4. How old is the Kloterjahns' son?

5. What disease is primarily treated at the sanitarium?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mr. Spinell act towards Gabriele Kloterjahn?

2. What seems to be Dr. Leander’s opinion of Mr. Spinell?

3. Of what is Mr. Kloterjahn a connoisseur?

4. Why is Mr. Kloterjahn grateful that his wife’s condition does not stem from the lungs?

5. Why does Mr. Spinell say that he is hypocritical?

6. What is Mr. Spinell like when he is “sociable”?

7. Why is the word “trachea” comforting when the doctor says it?

8. How does Mrs. Kloterjahn seem to feel about Mr. Spinell?

9. Why doesn’t Dr. Leander consult with Dr. Muller on Gabriele’s case?

10. Why does Mr. Spinell say that he is staying at Einfried?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mr. Spinell, though paying to stay at Einfried for treatment, does not seem to be actually ill. What does this say about his character? How does his lack of illness relate to his identification as an artist? Why does he want to appear ill? If, as Mann seems to be stating, the artist is inherently a creature of sickness and Mr. Spinell is not sick, can he truly be said to be an artist?

Essay Topic 2

Mr. Spinell’s letter is an important part of the novella, as it describes his idea of his relationship with Gabriele. Why does Mr. Spinell write the letter? Why does he mail it instead of delivering it to Mr. Kloterjahn himself? How does he describe his relationship with Gabriele Kloterjahn? Why does he view their relationship this way? How does Mr. Spinell view Mr. Kloterjahn and his relationship with his wife?

Essay Topic 3

Health and sickness are major themes in the novella. Which characters embody health? Which characters embody sickness? What other qualities or characteristics are found in the sick characters? In the healthy characters? What does Mann appear to be saying about the significance of health and sickness?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 574 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample