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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 continues to insist that life is what?

2. Etty later grasps the magnitude of her choice not to do what?

3. Does Etty accept her own feeling of bearing a burden?

4. Etty's faith in God has grown exponentially. Is this off-putting to her?

5. Etty's motivations have become unambiguously ______________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Does Etty believe that she should appear strong? Why or why not?

2. Why does Hillesum decide she would rather not marry Spier?

3. How does Etty feel about the atrocities taking place? How does this also lead to feelings of guilt?

4. For what does Etty begin to prepare? How might she feel about this exercise?

5. What is known about Etty's faith at this time?

6. What does Etty admit to her friend Ru? How is this significant?

7. From what does Julius Spier die? How does Etty cope with this?

8. To what does Hillesum resign herself?

9. What happens to Etty after Spier's death?

10. Does Etty realize the threat to her way of life? Does this affect her positive attitude? Explain.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Etty is drawn to self-denial and meditation.

Part 1) Describe these desires. How are these seen at the beginning of the book? How do they change? Why do they change?

Part 2) How does self-denial play a role in her actions? How did this self-denial affect others? Is this self-denial a positive thing? Why or why not?

Part 3) When have you denied yourself something? Why did you do this? How did this affect you? Have you ever meditated or spent time being contemplative? If so, how were you affected?

Essay Topic 2

Etty's relationship with Julius Spier deepens.

Part 1) Who is Julius Spier? Describe him and his relationship with Etty. How does their relationship change over time? Why does it change?

Part 2) What can be learned about Etty through this relationship? How does this relationship compare to her relationship with Han?

Part 3) What ends their relationship? How does she come to realize their relationship would turn out as she thought? How does the war affect her relationship? Could this relationship have succeeded? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Etty's parents and brother arrive at Westerbork.

Part 1) Why do they end up at Westerbork? How is Etty affected by this? How does Etty try to help them? Is she successful? Why or why not?

Part 2) What is the fate of this family? Could this have been prevented? Why or why not? What does their fate reveal about the lives of the Jews who were placed in concentration camps during the war?

Part 3) How might you feel if you were in Etty's situation? How would you react if your family joined in your entrapment and suffering?

(see the answer keys)

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