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. It becomes apparent that Mr. Spinell's letter is addressed to…

2. What does Mr. Spinell do when he sees an infant from his window?

3. What happened to Gabriele, according to Mrs. Spatz?

4. What does Mr. Kloterjahn do immediately after arriving at Einfried?

5. How does Mr. Spinell refer to Mr. Kloterjahn and his infant son?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the baby’s happiness and health disturb Mr. Spinell?

2. How is Gabriele’s illness progressing by Chapter 7?

3. Who, according to Mr. Spinell, is to be credited with bringing beauty back into Gabriele’s life?

4. What does Mr. Spinell do before leaving the room in Chapter 8, after Gabriele played the piano?

5. Why does Mrs. Kloterjahn initially refuse to play piano for Mr. Spinell?

6. According to Mr. Klotejahn in Chapter 11, what were Gabriele and her friends really doing in the garden by the fountain?

7. According to Mr. Spinell, why is what he is saying to Mr. Kloterjahn in Chapter 10 not an insult?

8. How do we know that playing the piano has put a strain on Gabriele Kloterjahn?

9. How does Mr. Kloterjahn say that he will get even with Mr. Spinell after Mr. Spinell's letter?

10. Why does Mr. Spinell find the scene of Gabriele and her friends in the garden so beautiful?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novella ends with a conflict between Mr. Kloterjahn and Mr. Spinell. How does this come about? What issues do the two men have with each other? Compare and contrast their characters and the endings that the novella provides for each man.

Essay Topic 2

The novella takes its title from the legend of Tristan and Isolde, although the legend is never mentioned by name in the text. How does the legend relate to the novella? Does it work as a metaphor? Why or why not? Why might Mann have chosen a title that stems from this legend?

Essay Topic 3

Mr. Spinell believes himself to be in love with Gabriele. What does this say about his character? What does this say about their relationship? Do we, as readers, believe that he truly loves and understands Gabriele? Why or why not? Does she feel the same way about him?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 646 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample