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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. For what does Melchior's mother warn Moritz in Act II, Scene 1?

2. What does Wendla's gravestone claim she died of?

3. What situation was Ilsa in that her friends bailed her out of?

4. How is Melchior permitted to answer questions in Act III, Scene 1?

5. Whom does Moritz fantasize about in the last scene of the second act?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mrs. Bergmann explain sex to Wendla after Ina has a baby?

2. How does Hanschen deal with his burgeoning sexual desires?

3. Describe the scene between Ernst and Hanschel.

4. Why does Moritz commit suicide at the end of Act II?

5. Why does Melchior consider suicide in the final scene of the play?

6. Describe Ilsa's life.

7. Why does her sister having a child come as such a surprise to Wendla?

8. What philosophy does Melchior claim to believe? What action follows in the hayloft?

9. What claims does the masked man make to Melchior and Moritz?

10. What does Ilsa reveal to Martha at Moritz's grave?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pick one of the following topics to write about:

- Wendla's dress.

- Moritz's story of the headless queen.

- Ilse's attempted seduction of Moritz.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

In the final scene of this play, Melchior comes across Moritz's ghost, who begs his friend to join him in suicide. Compose a strong thesis about the nature of suicide in Spring Awakening: A Children's Tragedy and write about it in the following format:

Part 1) Discuss Moritz's reasons for suicide.

Part 2) Discuss Melchior's consideration of suicide.

Part 3) Discuss the reaction of the people to Moritz's suicide.

Part 4) Discuss the school's reaction to Moritz's suicide.

Part 5) Discuss the masked man saving Melchior from killing himself.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

What is satire? How does Wedekind use it in Spring Awakening: A Children's Tragedy? What is the purpose of presenting satire in the midst of a realistic play? How does this satire (specifically, the scene in which Melchior is expelled) contrast with the rest of the play? Some points to be considered:

- The arguments amongst the professors.

- The names of the professors.

- Mrs. Gabor and Stickeytongue's defense of Melchior.

- The realistic portrayal of the students amongst the professors.

(see the answer keys)

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