This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. While Zorba is away, who invites the narrator to visit Africa?
(a) The narrator's older brother.
(b) His soldier friend.
(c) Zorba.
(d) Karayannis.

2. How does the narrator end the letter to his friend in Chapter 8?
(a) He suggests they not see one another again.
(b) He tells him that he has love for him.
(c) He reveals his plans for the mine.
(d) He tells him that he wishes he too were at war.

3. To whom does the narrator's soldier friend say his greatest actions will be owed credit?
(a) His father.
(b) Rembrandt's "Warrior."
(c) The narrator.
(d) Sampson from the Bible.

4. Why does Zorba begin to feel restless and depressed while in Candia?
(a) He has suddenly become afraid of mining.
(b) He realizes he's aging.
(c) He is going to be a father.
(d) He has fallen in love.

5. What does the narrator decide about the poetry he has always loved?
(a) It should be banned and removed from all libraries.
(b) It is worthless and does not relate to the true human experience.
(c) It is a foundational part of his sophisticated world view.
(d) It helped him get through his youth but is of little value now.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Zorba believe a man should treat a woman?

2. Zorba tells the narrator stories about the island. What kind of events does he describe?

3. What does the narrator request of Zorba when he remains in Candia for longer than expected?

4. What or who does the narrator's long-time friend live for?

5. What is the primary message in the book that the narrator is reading?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Zorba tells the story of the old man who will never die, what does this show about his own and the narrator's perspectives on life and death?

2. What feelings does Zorba express about religion?

3. What is Zorba's account of God's creation of woman?

4. Discuss the two goals that the narrator sets for himself at the end of Chapter 4? How is this a shift from the beginning of the story?

5. How does the fact that Zorba is missing half of his finger relate to his connection between manliness and freedom?

6. How might Madame Hortense's romantic history challenge Zorba's concept of his own manliness?

7. Describe the narrator's counter argument to Zorba's connection between manliness and freedom regarding his missing finger?

8. When Zorba encourages the narrator to be more like he is and pursue the widow, how does this contradict Zorba's other advice?

9. Describe the first time that the narrator sees the widow.

10. How does the narrator describe Zorba the first time he sees him dancing?

Multiple Choice Answer Key

Short Answer Key

1. How does Zorba believe a man should treat a woman?

He should tell her she's beautiful no matter what.

2. Zorba tells the narrator stories about the island. What kind of events does he describe?

Wars and revolutions.

3. What does the narrator request of Zorba when he remains in Candia for longer than expected?

He requests that he return immediately.

4. What or who does the narrator's long-time friend live for?

Mankind.

5. What is the primary message in the book that the narrator is reading?

It emphasizes the virtue of possessing nothing.

Short Essay Answer Key

1. When Zorba tells the story of the old man who will never die, what does this show about his own and the narrator's perspectives on life and death?

Neither the narrator nor Zorba come to a conclusion about how one should live one's life. Zorba clearly lives as though each day is his last, in opposition to the old man in his story. The narrator is uncertain and contemplative about life and death and seems to change his mind slightly as he is influenced by different thinking.

2. What feelings does Zorba express about religion?

Zorba claims to be an atheist. However, when it comes to the other villagers, Zorba believes that religion is not only important but is the center of their way of life. He warns the narrator that speaking against religion to the villagers is not wise as it is better for them than having no organized structure at all.

3. What is Zorba's account of God's creation of woman?

Zorba says that when God removed the rib from Adam, the devil turned into a snake and snatched the rib and ran off with it. God then chased the devil and caught him, but the devil ultimately got away while God was left holding only his horns. God then made woman out of the devil's horns rather than the rib of Adam.

4. Discuss the two goals that the narrator sets for himself at the end of Chapter 4? How is this a shift from the beginning of the story?

The narrator wants to rid himself of Buddha and the abstract thinking that comes along with Buddha. He also wants to be completely present in the physical world of men. He has wanted to find this physicality since the beginning of the story when his old friend's words inspire him to seek such a life, and begin his journey to Crete. Originally, he was completely invested in philosophizing as well. However, the fact that he wants to exorcise Buddha from his thinking is a definite shift in his character.

5. How does the fact that Zorba is missing half of his finger relate to his connection between manliness and freedom?

Zorba says that he cut part of his finger off because it got in the way of making pottery. He argues that anything that gets in the way of man doing what he wants should be removed. Because it takes a great deal of physical and mental courage to remove a body part, the connection for Zorba is strong.

6. How might Madame Hortense's romantic history challenge Zorba's concept of his own manliness?

Zorba believes in living for the day and that any impediment to freedom and manliness should be removed. Because he thinks sexual relationships are the ultimate in the physical life, he is helpless against the force of her own history. She has been romanced by legendary and powerful men, and Zorba cannot do anything to remove them as competitive forces from his own life. He offers to take on Canavaro's role in her life, but he has no power or awareness of how to actually fulfill that role.

7. Describe the narrator's counter argument to Zorba's connection between manliness and freedom regarding his missing finger?

The narrator argues that although such passions are admirable, they could also possibly lead to the desire to remove more crucial body parts. He suggests that Zorba might eventually want to remove his sexual organs, which would have a much more life-altering and drastic result.

8. When Zorba encourages the narrator to be more like he is and pursue the widow, how does this contradict Zorba's other advice?

Previously, Zorba told a parable about a crow who tries to walk like a pigeon, reinforcing his idea that one must remain true to his true and individual identity. Zorba's disappointment with the narrator when he is unable to be the man of sensuality that Zorba is, contradicts this parable to some extent.

9. Describe the first time that the narrator sees the widow.

The narrator and Zorba duck into a cafe in the middle of a rainstorm, and from here, they see the widow run past the window. The narrator immediately finds her beautiful, although there are a variety of responses to her presence, not all of them positive. Soon after, Mimiko enters and reports that the widow has lost her sheep and offers a reward to anyone who can help return it to her.

10. How does the narrator describe Zorba the first time he sees him dancing?

The narrator says Zorba looks like he is wearing rubber shoes. He also says that Zorba's soul looks like it is trying to fling his body like a meteor into the darkness.