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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 event takes place in the low-vaulted room?

2. Whom does Barabbas continue to seek out while he stays in Jerusalem?

3. What answer does Barabbas receive about Christian doctrine?

4. What comment does the fat woman make that offends the girl Barabbas meets in Jerusalem?

5. What event does Barabbas accuse the red-bearded man of falsifying?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the residents who live near the Dung Gate.

2. Why does Barabbas leave the red-beaded man?

3. What does Barabbas tell the Christian when questioned about his visit to the resurrected man?

4. Describe Jesus as Barabbas sees him.

5. What does Barabbas notice about the people in Jerusalem the day after the crucifixion?

6. Why does Barabbas feel he has a stronger bond with Jesus than the Christians?

7. How do the characters react when the hill goes dark?

8. What does the red-bearded man claim is the point of the crucifixion?

9. What does Barabbas think about as he lies awake next to the fat woman on his first night of freedom?

10. How does the fat woman react to Barabbas staying in Jerusalem?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does the promise of the resurrection affect the characters in the story? Compare and contrast Barabbas's and the hare-lipped girl's expectations and experiences surrounding Jesus' resurrection. How might their faith have affected their experiences?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the symbolism behind the slave medallion and the inscriptions found on both sides of Sahak's and Barabbas's medallions. Compare and contrast how the inscription on the back of each man's medallion affected his character. What did the medallion symbolize for Barabbas after Sahak's death?

Essay Topic 3

What role does betrayal play in the novel? Which characters betray others and why? Which characters are betrayed and why? What role does guilt play in relationship to betrayal in the novel. How do the themes of betrayal and guilt affect Barabbas' character?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 766 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample