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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. Why is Rubashov allowed to remain in bed on his first morning in prison?

2. What is an execution called in prison?

3. What relative of Arlova’s was arrested over there?

4. About how long does it take to travel to the prison from Rubashov’s home?

5. What is Rubashov dreaming about when officials come to arrest him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Rubashov question Richard and what does Rubashov tell Richard?

2. How does Rubashov respond to the evidence and charges Ivanov presents? What is Ivanov’s response?

3. Why does Rubashov meet with Little Loewy?

4. What does Gletkin consider to be the best methods for getting confessions out of prisoners? Why does he feel this way?

5. What does Ivanov tell Rubashov the day after Bogrov is killed?

6. What does Rubashov do after he is told he will get no breakfast?

7. What is Rubashov thinking by the time Ivanov leaves him the morning after Bogrov is killed?

8. Why does Rubashov think he is unable to hate No. 1?

9. What does Rubashov daydream about on his seventh day in prison?

10. What book does Rubashov say No. 1 has sitting on his desk at all times? Why does No. 1 have the book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an important part of what makes Darkness at Noon interesting. Discuss the following:

Thoroughly discuss and analyze Rubashov. What are his strengths and weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he usually likable? Seldom likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas. Use the same criteria to thoroughly discuss and analyze No. 402 and Gletkin.

Essay Topic 2

Koestler was an active Zionist (a believer that Jews should have a homeland in Palestine) during his youth, he supported the creation of an Israeli state after World War II, and later in his life he became very interested in spirituality.

Discuss the religious undertones in Darkness at Noon. Use examples from Darkness at Noon to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

A prisoner in cell 406 was arrested in his country for communist activities. After 25 years in prison, he is pardoned. He is taken to the station by friends and sent to Russia, his life-long dream. In Russia he is arrested and put in prison. In prison he keeps insisting his friends put him on the wrong train and that someday he will get to Russia and be free.

Discuss the way in which prisoner 406 uses denial of his situation in order to mentally/emotionally survive circumstances which directly oppose what the prisoner has believed most of his life and had spent 25 years in prison for believing. Use examples from Darkness at Noon to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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