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. Why does Kreton claim he needs to lay down?

2. What does Kreton put around the ship?

3. What causes Reba to be suspicious of Ellen and Conrad's activities?

4. To what does Kreton compare his head vibrations?

5. What does Reba note Ellen must do before marrying Conrad?

Short Essay Questions

1. What plans do Ellen and Conrad have, and what are they planning to tell the others at dinner?

2. Kreton notes that war is the specialty of humans. Is this true?

3. Is Powers' treatment of the aide justified? Why or why not?

4. Do you think Powers should be directing any military action, knowing he has never been in battle? Why or why not?

5. What are the reasons Ellen claims she cannot marry Conrad?

6. Ellen accuses Kreton of being a vampire of emotions. Do you agree?

7. Delton 4 promises to turn time backward, so that none of the events in the play occurred. What good things will thus be erased, as well?

8. Why is Reba concerned about the marriage of Ellen and Conrad.

9. What does Kreton do to try and entice Conrad to join the fight?

10. What does Powers see as the biggest problem in war?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the play, Kreton is treated by the government as property, and told he is to function as a weapon. However, Kreton admits he is a mammal, for all intensive purposes, and it is clear he is a living, thinking individual.

Part 1. Discuss how Kreton's ability to limit his emotions could help him function as a weapon of the United States. Conversely, without emotion, discuss how Kreton could function against his purpose as a weapon. Be sure to use elements of Kreton's personality as presented in the play in your answer.

Part 2. Do you think the use of a living, thinking mammal as a possession and a weapon is a moral thing to do? Why or why not? Be sure to include elements of the play in your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Kreton manipulates individuals throughout the novel in an effort to force them to create the world he originally envisioned when he envisioned Earth. Choose of the following manipulative situations to discuss.

1. Describe the situation where Kreton uses the thoughts of the aide to push Conrad into fighting. What was the aide thinking? Why did this bother Conrad? Is the fact that Conrad tried to hit the aide proof that Kreton is correct that humans are naturally violent? Or was Conrad abnormally motivated to violence by Kreton's manipulation? Why? Be sure to support your ideas with the book.

2. Describe the situation where Kreton uses the fight between Conrad and the aide to convince Ellen to marry Conrad. What was the fight about? Why did this change Ellen's opinion of marrying Conrad? Is the fact that Ellen married Conrad only after his show of violence proof that humans are violent creatures? Or was Ellen abnormally motivated to marry by Kreton's manipulation? Why? Be sure to support your ideas with the book.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, Vidal suggests, through Kreton, that mankind is savage, violent, blood thirsty, and always ready for war. Do you think this is true? Why or why not? Based on the characters presented in the novel, do you believe Vidal portrayed his characters to agree or disagree with this notion? Why? Which characters represent an affinity for war, and which represent opposition to war? Why? Is Kreton correct in his assumptions, based on the character's actions, that humans are blood thirsty? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 959 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample