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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 does Mr. Spinell describe the laughter of the person he sees on his walk?

2. How long had Gabriele and her husband known each other when he proposed?

3. What does Mr. Spinell say he can picture on Gabriele’s head?

4. What is Mrs. Kloterjahn’s maiden name?

5. When does Gabriele say that she found happiness?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dr. Leander recommend as treatment for Gabriele’s worsening condition?

2. What does Mr. Kloterjahn finally admit was the causes of Gabriele’s illness?

3. According to Mrs. Spatz, what did Gabriele do before coughing up blood?

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

5. Why does Mr. Spinell say he is writing a letter in Chapter 10?

6. What ruins the scene of Gabriele in the garden with her friends for Mr. Spinell?

7. Why does Mr. Kloterjahn call Mr. Spinell a coward?

8. What does Dr. Muller recommend in Chapter 9?

9. How much of the music that Mr. Spinell found in Chapter 8 does Mrs. Kloterjahn play?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mann uses various psychological concepts, including that of Freud’s sublimation, in Tristan. What is sublimation? How does it appear in and contribute to the novella? How do the characters use sublimation? How does the concept of sublimation relate to Mann’s interpretation of art and the artist?

Essay Topic 2

Wagner’s opera Tristan und Isolde plays an important role in the novella, as does music in general.Why did Mann choose this particular musical piece for the climactic scene in the novella? What does it add to the story? How do the piece, and the climactic scene in general, shape Mr. Spinell’s relationship with Gabriele Kloterjahn? Why is music so important in the novella?

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?

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This section contains 550 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample