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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 memento does Ilsa have of Moritz?

2. What does the masked man offer to do for Melchior?

3. How does Moritz vent his frustration at the end of Act II, Scene 7?

4. In Act II, Scene 5, through what medium is Mrs. Gabor addressing Moritz?

5. How does Mrs. Bergmann defend herself from her daughter's anger in Act III, Scene 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Hanschen's relationship to "Venus?"

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

3. What are the different explanations given for Wendla's illness? What is the actual diagnosis?

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

5. Why is Mrs. Gabor concerned about Moritz and Melchior reading Faust? How is this significant?

6. Describe Ilsa's life.

7. What is significant about the singer Moritz thinks about in Act II, scene 7?

8. Why do the professors want to expel Melchior from school?

9. Why does Moritz believe he will be promoted to the next grade based off his discussion with Melchior in Act II, scene 3?

10. How does Mrs. Bergmann attempt to defend herself from Wendla's anger in Act III, scene 8?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How are the adults portrayed in this play? To what purpose are they lampooned? How is the character of Mrs. Gabor used to show the power of adults and the consequences of misunderstanding their children? Is Mrs. Bergmann meant to be a sympathetic character? Why or why not? How does Moritz's father represent the majority of the adults in this play? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters of Wendla and Ilse. How does knowledge affect both girls? How is Ilse freer than Wendla? Conversely, how is Wendla freer than Ilse? What is the significance of Wendla being raped and Ilse sleeping freely with her artists?

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