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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. What does Moritz admit to considering if he flunks?

2. Because of the objectionable content of the play, what did Wedekind have to do for the play to be printed?

3. In what country does A Children's Tragedy take place?

4. What form does the play evolve into?

5. What does Mrs. Bergmann wonder about Wendla in the first scene?

Short Essay Questions

1. What startling admission does Moritz give in Act I, Scene 4? Why?

2. What does Moritz believe is the purpose of his school's exams?

3. What thought does Wendla have that offends her mother? Where does it come from?

4. In the introduction, why is this play deemed as widely disliked by feminists?

5. What is Wendla's attitude about her old dress and new dress in the beginning of the play?

6. Why is this play described as "coming-of-age?"

7. What are some of the main philosophical influences and allusions in A Children's Tragedy?

8. What event does Bentley claim influence Wedekind? Why?

9. What conflicts does Bentley discuss were essential to Wedekind during the writing of "Spring Awakening"? Why?

10. Describe the main theme of one of the characters that is pointed out as being a philosophy of Goethe.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is significant about Melchior's fascination with Goethe and his presentation of "Faust?" Why should Mrs. Gabor express concern over her son reading "Faust?" How does the story of Faust mirror Melchior's story? How is Goethe's philosophy seen in Melchior's belief system? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Early in the play, Moritz says, "Melchior, don't you also think that man's sense of shame is just a product of his education?" One of the themes of this play deals with the enforced ignorance of the younger generation and the natural ignorance of the adults. Write an essay about the use of ignorance in this play as it relates to Moritz's statement in the following format:

Part 1) Discuss Mrs. Bergmann's insistence on keeping Wendla innocent.

Part 2) Discuss the adults being unaware of Moritz's torment and Wendla's pregnancy.

Part 3) Discuss the ignorance of nearly all the students about sex and pregnancy.

Part 4) Discuss the reaction Melchior's knowledge of sex has on the adults.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following topics to write about:

- Mrs. Bergmann's explanation on pregnancy.

- The contrast of the pastor's sermon at Moritz's funeral and the girls bringing his grave flowers.

- "Copulation."

(see the answer keys)

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