View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why couldn't Lucio take peyote for a motorcycle?

2. What did the guardian warn Carlos not to do?

3. Why doesn't Carlos actually see?

4. When was Carlos closest to 'seeing'?

5. What did Mescalito teach?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why didn't Carlos 'see' the people that were around when he had left the plants?

2. Why does each chapter end on a dramatic note?

3. What was don Juan's task as a practitioner?

4. How can a person who only 'sees' never really be happy or attached to anything?

5. How must someone approach Mescalito?

6. Why couldn't Carlos articulate what he wanted to after his experience?

7. What is the difference between the first and second time Carlos smoked?

8. Provide an explanation as to why a man of knowledge is vastly valued profession for Carlos.

9. Why will Carlos never believe what actually went on with don Genaro at the waterfall?

10. What did the guardian look like?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do you feel about men of knowledge? What kind of world is open to them? How is this a dangerous endeavor and way of life? How is this way of life a difficult path to follow? In what regards is it an almost impossible path?

Essay Topic 2

There has been much debate on whether or not these are factual accounts, or if the entire book was a work of fiction. Explain why people might have difficulty accepting this novel as a true account. What are your personal conceptions of this novel? Is it a work of fiction, or could they be actual field notes? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

Examine the era in which this book was originally published. To what kind of public was Castaneda targeting? Why do you think this is? Do you believe that the social fabric of the world would accept this book if it was published now? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 911 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample