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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. How intelligent is Aschenbach?

2. At the beginning of the book, why does Aschenbach take a walk?

3. Judging from the man's attire and physical characteristics, Aschenbach concludes that this man is NOT _______ .

4. The man at the chapel carries a _______.

5. What does Aschenbach credit his level of greatness to?

Short Essay Questions

1. What successes has Aschenbach achieved in life?

2. Why does Aschenbach decide to go to Venice?

3. How much of Part One is either unspoken or indirect direction?

4. In Aschenbach's opinion, what does art conquer?

5. As Aschenbach is more and more obsessed with Tadzio, how does Aschenbach's writing now differ from before?

6. How does Achenbach know that Tadzio is aware of his adoration?

7. What effect did Aschenbach's parents' attributes have on him?

8. How does Aschenbach experience the morning? What are the metaphors he uses?

9. What inspires Aschenbach to travel?

10. Why does Aschenbach watch Tadzio?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Aschenbach severely disapproves of any falsehood or disguise.

1) Why does he object to this so much?

2) What do falsehood and disguise symbolize to him?

3) What does it mean when Aschenbach begins wearing a disguise himself?

Essay Topic 2

In "Death In Venice," Mann uses colors to give dimension to characters and to represent themes. Write an essay discussing Mann's use of reoccurring colors to represent the themes and flesh out characters. What do these colors represent? When does Mann chose to use color? How can the development of the story and the transformation of Aschenbach be traced through color?

Essay Topic 3

The elements of Aschenbach's life have clearly defined who he is today.

1) Analyze the characteristics of Aschenbach's childhood.

2) Analyze the events of Aschenbach's adulthood.

3) How does the "recipe" that these events and characteristics create compare to who Aschenbach is at the beginning of "Death In Venice?"

4) How can you explain the jarring difference between Aschenbach at the beginning and end of the book?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 824 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample