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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. How is the Kloterjahns' son described?

2. Why can’t Mr. Spinell describe the beautiful woman he saw?

3. Who does Gabriele joke that Mr. Spinell must mean when he says he could look at one particular woman forever?

4. What did Mrs. Kloterjahn’s former doctor forbid her from doing?

5. How does Mrs. Kloterjahn feel about her husband?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What are some of the activities that the patients occupy themselves with?

4. Why does Mr. Spinell look at beautiful women out of the corner of his eye?

5. What happens when a patient dies?

6. Why are specific cases in particular Dr. Muller’s responsibility?

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

8. Of what is Mr. Kloterjahn a connoisseur?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mr. Spinell and Gabriele Kloterjahn are the two main characters in Tristan. Can one or both of these two characters be said to be the protagonist? Why or why not? If not one of them, is there a protagonist? Who is it? How is a protagonist defined?

Essay Topic 2

As with any author, Mann’s writing drew on his own life and experiences. What experiences did Mann live through that may have had an influence on his writing?

Essay Topic 3

Mr. Spinell believes that only he, and not Mr. Kloterjahn, understands Gabriele. Why does he believe this? Does Gabriele seem to have the same understanding of their relationship as Mr. Spinell? How does Mann characterize the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Kloterjahn? Who, in the end, really understands her?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 553 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample