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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. Volpatte shares the first part of his story just after the squad finishes what type of duty?

2. What is Lamuse's opinion of aircraft?

3. Chapter 7 begins with the squad waiting where as they prepare for redeployment?

4. Cpl. Marchal serves with what military units?

5. The "Moroccan Division" is admired for what?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the invalids in the sanatorium learn of the war?

2. What do the men of the squad think about the shirkers?

3. Describe the encounter that the narrator and Paradis have with the four German soldiers.

4. What is meant by the phrase that each poilu "carries his crowd along"?

5. How much do the men seem to know about different kinds of weapons and artillery?

6. Describe Lamuse's relationship with Eudoxie.

7. How does the squad acquire room and board in Gauchin-l'Abbé?

8. What is Poterloo's mental state when he and the narrator discover the remains of Souchez?

9. What are the men's hopes and fears as their last day of leave approaches?

10. How does the author feel about the speech of the characters in the book he is writing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, and in particular in the chapter "Bombardment," it is shown that the men have an intimate knowledge of artillery weapons used by both sides. Although these weapons seem to intercede only occasionally, their effect is devastating and seemingly random. The men have a strange mixture of admiration, respect, and fear of these weapons, mixed in with a strange kind of superstition developed over the course of many months spent trying to avoid death at the hands of these random killers.

Part 1) Using information from the book, discuss some of the types of artillery employed by both sides. How effective and accurate are these weapons?

Part 2) Describe the level of knowledge that the soldiers seem to have of the various kinds of artillery employed against them. Explain some of their more rational beliefs and fears.

Part 3) Explain some of the soldiers more irrational beliefs and fears about the artillery. Speculate about why these almost superstitious fears and practices came into being.

Essay Topic 2

Despair is a constant threat in the novel. Many characters find unique ways to fight against despair and some are consumed by it. It is the source of strange behavior and adaptive strategies, and the cause of some seemingly suicidal actions.

Part 1) Explain the theme of despair as it occurs in the novel. How does this threat compare to other threats of trench life and warfare?

Part 2) Discuss some of the strategies some of the men develop to stave off despair. How well do these strategies fare. Explain examples of the men falling into complete despair.

Part 3) Using examples from the last chapters of the book, give a last analysis of the theme of despair. How much does it affect the men overall? How successful can they be, in the end, in fighting it off?

Essay Topic 3

Near the end of the novel, religious themes are discussed frequently and in a serious fashion. The narrator himself reveals little about his faith or lack thereof, but the things he experiences clearly cause him to begin thinking about such matters in more detail. The men at the refuge discuss this subject in great detail. Appropriately, they ask more questions than they answer.

Part 1) How are religious themes developed throughout the novel. Explain how these themes are first introduced, where they are discussed most thoroughly and how, if at all, they are resolved.

Part 2) Explain the narrator's personal progression in this regard, citing examples to show his changing state of mind and increasing interest in the subject. Citing information from the book, explain why these changes take place.

Part 2) Explain some of the opinions of the poilus and other soldiers about religion and God. Explain how these opinions are consonant with their experiences and other opinions expressed at other points in the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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