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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 does the narrator wander around France?
2. Where does the narrator spend days?
3. Who surrounds Charlotte and asks for money?
4. What does the narrator see that reminds him of Charlotte?
5. What does Pashka take the narrator to observe?
Short Essay Questions
1. How does the narrator's encounter with the girl with russet-colored hair occur and how does it work out between them?
2. How does the narrator imagine Charlotte in France and what does he do that he does not usually do when preparing for her visit?
3. What does Charlotte's last story for the narrator tell him?
4. Why does the narrator think he is being accepted by his classmates, what does he see as the three types of cliques in a crowd and how does his acceptance affect his writing?
5. What does the narrator do after he accidentally insults a girl at a dance?
6. How did the narrator's book do and when does he remember something Charlotte told him when he saw his first coffin?
7. How does the narrator feel about the women in the photo and how does he try to return to the comfort of his childhood?
8. What does the narrator do upon returning from Russia?
9. What does the narrator do about a place for Charlotte when she comes to visit?
10. What does Charlotte tell the narrator about death?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:
1. Fully explain why you think "Dreams of My Russian Summers" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?
2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.
3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.
4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?
Essay Topic 2
There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Dreams of My Russian Summers". Questions that Makine most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:
1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?
2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Makine's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Makine's probable agenda concerning that idea.
2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?
3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?
4. Research the life of Makine and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.
Essay Topic 3
Discuss the following:
1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?
2. Analyze and discuss "Dreams of My Russian Summers" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Dreams of My Russian Summers is a successful novel.
3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "Dreams of My Russian Summers" a successful novel? What about young teens?
This section contains 1,271 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |