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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The narrator warn Zorba that such passions may lead to the removal of what body part?
(a) The sexual organs.
(b) The achilles.
(c) The brain.
(d) The ears.

2. What does Zorba do when he hears his boss talking to the workmen?
(a) He throws his boss out of the mine.
(b) He tells his boss that they are lazy.
(c) He asks his boss to get them lunch.
(d) He asks his boss to record the men's work hours.

3. In which category does Zorba think his boss strives for with his food?
(a) Fat and manure.
(b) Love and kindness.
(c) God.
(d) Work.

4. What does Zorba indicate would be the worst thing the narrator could do to Anagnosti?
(a) Kill his children.
(b) Cast down his religion.
(c) Leave his celebration.
(d) Hire him at the mine.

5. Why does Zorba watch the widow's home?
(a) He wants to protect her from Mimiko.
(b) He wants to make sure the narrator is not sneaking into her house.
(c) He wants to make sure she is not going to bed alone.
(d) He wants to steal from her.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 13, Zorba demonstrates his dedication to what?

2. What is Zorba's response when the narrator asks him how many times he has been married?

3. What happens to Zorba that he believes to be a terrible omen?

4. In regards to food, what three categories does Zorba say that the three different types of men turn their food into?

5. With whom do the narrator and Zorba enjoy Christmas Eve dinner?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What feelings does Zorba express about religion?

3. What does Zorba's version of God look like?

4. When the narrator makes an attempt to get to know some of the mine workers, he begins to discuss socialism with them. Zorba does not like this. What are his reasons?

5. How does the narrator's memory of the butterfly impact his feelings about approaching the widow?

6. Describe the narrator's relationship with his old friend.

7. What significance does the fact that Madame Hortense is a widow have toward the theme of manliness?

8. How does the narrator try to get the widow out of his mind at the beginning of Chapter 10?

9. What kinds of responsibilities does Zorba take on at the initiation of his friendship with the narrator.

10. How does the narrator reveal that he is like his grandfather?

Multiple Choice Answer Key

Short Answer Key

1. In Chapter 13, Zorba demonstrates his dedication to what?

His immediate passions.

2. What is Zorba's response when the narrator asks him how many times he has been married?

Once honestly and twice half-honestly.

3. What happens to Zorba that he believes to be a terrible omen?

A priest crosses his path.

4. In regards to food, what three categories does Zorba say that the three different types of men turn their food into?

Fat and manure, work and good humor, and God.

5. With whom do the narrator and Zorba enjoy Christmas Eve dinner?

Madame Hortense.

Short Essay Answer Key

1. 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.

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 does Zorba's version of God look like?

Zorba claims to be an atheist, but he does tell the narrator that God is likely a more outrageous version of himself for whom forgiveness is not difficult, and who does not want to be worshiped.

4. When the narrator makes an attempt to get to know some of the mine workers, he begins to discuss socialism with them. Zorba does not like this. What are his reasons?

Zorba believes that supervising a workforce requires complete authority. He thinks it's better if they believe they have fewer rights and that workers who feel like they are equal to their bosses will eventually take rights away from their bosses.

5. How does the narrator's memory of the butterfly impact his feelings about approaching the widow?

The narrator had attempted to help the butterfly emerge from the cocoon by blowing warm air on it. Doing this made the butterfly emerge too quickly and die. The narrator realizes while meditating on this memory, that an individual must "confidently obey the eternal rhythm." He knows, in turn, that he can't speed his relationship with the widow and must let it unfold naturally.

6. Describe the narrator's relationship with his old friend.

The narrator and his friend have a deep connection and love for one another. However, the connection is largely unspoken as the two men often argue rather than express emotion to one another. The soldier friend is more of an adventurer than the narrator, and often teases the narrator for being such a bookworm. The two men contrast one another; the narrator is more of a philosopher who is focused on a higher power, while the friend is a soldier who believes in living his life for his fellow man and his nation. The connection between the two men, despite their differences, is clear in their agreement to send mental messages to one another if they sense danger. This obviously indicates that they believe strongly in their connection and friendship.

7. What significance does the fact that Madame Hortense is a widow have toward the theme of manliness?

Madame Hortense is a character on whom Zorba and the narrator choose instantly to rely upon for shelter. The fact that she is completely devoid of Zorba's "manliness" (as a widowed woman) and has outlived her four great lovers, admirals who could be classified as the most manly of all men, speaks to a contrasting energy of freedom neither articulated by the narrator nor by Zorba.

8. How does the narrator try to get the widow out of his mind at the beginning of Chapter 10?

The narrator views the widow as a temptation of the Evil One and focuses on writing his Buddha Manuscript in order to exorcise her image and the lust he feels for her from his mind. To him, his writing is comparable to the force of savages facing beasts with their spears.

9. What kinds of responsibilities does Zorba take on at the initiation of his friendship with the narrator.

Zorba agrees to act as foreman of the lignite mine. He also promises to cook the narrator soup and play him music on his santuri.

10. How does the narrator reveal that he is like his grandfather?

He remembers his grandfather demanding that guests tell him their personal stories of adventure so that he could experience the thrill through their stories. This is similar to the narrator in that the adventures for both occur removed from the action and inside the head and ideas of the two.