The People of Paper Quiz

Take our free The People of Paper quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. Determine which chapters, themes and styles you already know and what you need to study for your upcoming essay, midterm, or final exam. Take the free quiz now!

Aside from the parallel with Federico's self-burning, what other character / situation does Cameroon's relationship with bees echo, and why? (from Part 2, Chapters 10 and 11)

It echoes the silence of the Baby Nostradamus: both are the result of an inability to speak because of overwhelming pain.

It echoes Little Merced's habit of eating limes: both are a kind of self-destructive addiction.

It echoes Smiley's habit of smoking: both are a kind of self-destructive addiction.

It echoes Julieta's relationship with her father: both are the result of long-standing, abusive situations.

The story of Cardinal Mahony echoes that of which character, and why? (from Part 3, Chapters 25 and 26)

Saturn: the life of each man was changed as a result of loving, and winning, a woman.

Federico: the life of each man was changed as the result of loving, and losing, a woman.

Apolonio: the life of each character was changed as the result of each man rejecting a call to become a person of God.

Little Merced: the life of each character was changed as a result of accepting the call to become a person of God.

What do you think is the most likely explanation for the disappearance of the lime tree in the back yard of Federico and Little Merced's home? (from Part 1, Chapters 2 and 3)

Federico is concerned about the number of limes Little Merced is eating and, therefore, cuts the tree down.

Saturn has the trees cut down in order to punish Little Merced for eating limes.

Federico needs to cut some lumber to repair their home.

Little Merced is concerned about the number of limes she is eating, and asks her father to cut them down.

In this section (Part 2, Chapters 12, 13, and 14), Cameroon is referred to as a saint. Which other character is referred to as a saint, and which other character might have been considered a saint (i.e. because of an interaction with the divine) if someone else had not had other ideas? (from Part 2, Chapters 12, 13, and 14)

Santos; Apolonio's mother.

Little Merced; Smiley.

Smiley: Apolonio's mother.

Santos; Little Merced.

In Part 2, Chapter 8 and 9, what seems to be the main reason that Smiley chooses to not attack "Saturn" (Plascencia) as he has been instructed to do by Federico? (from Part 2, “Cloudy Skies and Lonely Mornings”, Chapters 8 and 9)

Smiley has realized that Saturn/Plascencia is a human being, and is trying to do his best to carry on, just like everyone else.

Smiley has realized that Saturn/Plascencia is violent and desperate and might do something drastic to him and/or the other characters if provoked.

Smiley has realized that Federico is insane, and that his vendetta against Saturn / Plascencia is a sign of psychosis.

Smiley has realized that he and the other characters in the story cannot move ahead with their lives without Saturn / Plascencia, and that to kill him would be suicide.