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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. Etty was a twenty-seven-year-old single woman living where, making her way in the city?

2. Early in her writings, Etty says that she finds Spier intriguing and she is impressed with what?

3. Even before reaching Westerbork, Etty Hillesum's ___________ emerges as something independent and infinitely more powerful than her physical self.

4. Etty Hillesum was determined to grow ________________.

5. Who was Etty's favorite author?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Etty feel about men? How does she explain this?

2. What is Etty's opinion of marriage for herself? Why might she feel this way?

3. By April 2, 1942, how does Etty feel about Spier?

4. What does Etty say about the topic of hatred?

5. What problem does Etty experience? Why? How does this lead to a discussion of Etty's family?

6. How does Etty's feelings towards her family begin to change?

7. Why did Etty begin this diary?

8. Describe the men for whom Etty has feelings.

9. What does Etty say about evil?

10. How does Etty's faith continue to grow?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Etty does not return hate for hate.

Part 1) Give an example from the book that illustrates this. How does this belief regarding others compare to the beliefs of other Jews? Explain.

Part 2) Why does Etty decide to not hate or act hateful? Does she benefit from this? Why or why not? How does this decision to love all life and have a positive attitude affect you as a reader?

Part 3) Who in our own history has acted peacefully in the face of hatred and fear? Why? How has this person affected and influenced our culture today?

Essay Topic 2

Etty's motivations become increasingly altruistic.

Part 1) How do Etty's motivations become increasingly altruistic? Why do they grow more altruistic? What does this reveal about her?

Part 2) What external motivation does Etty receive for being altruistic? How does this compare to her internal motivation? Which are more important? Why?

Part 3) When have you acted altruistically? Why did you act this way? How did this affect you?

Essay Topic 3

Etty is not close to her family.

Part 1) Describe her relationship with her family. How might this have come about? Might it have always been like this? Why or why not?

Part 2) How does this relationship evolve throughout the book? Why does it evolve? How does this affect her?

Part 3) Describe your relationship with your own family. How does this relationship affect your daily life? How might it affect you in the future?

(see the answer keys)

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