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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 quality does the author say love shares with everything eternal?

2. To what religion does the author say marriage belongs?

3. According to the author, what is the lifeblood of marriage?

4. What does first love not need according to the author?

5. What does the author say belongs in every marriage but is missing from a marriage of convenience?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the author write that an exploration of the aesthetic significance of marriage might seem superfluous?

2. In what kind of moment does the author write he hopes his letter finds the young man, and why?

3. What does the author assert is the principle reason for marrying?

4. Describe the fantasy marriage the author proposes to the young man.

5. What is the author's stated intention?

6. Describe the church wedding that the author says caused the young man to fume.

7. What does the author write about humility in love?

8. What does the author write is "unhappy love?"

9. What does the author write about his feelings of devotion for his wife?

10. What does the author write first love is for "happy individualities?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does the author mean by the term "Either/Or"? Why is the concept central to human existence? Discuss citing three specific examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Both the author of the letter and the letter's recipient are men. Discuss the influence of gender in EITHER/OR. How might the letter be different if it were written by or to a woman? Why do you think both of the characters are men? Discuss citing specific examples.

Essay Topic 3

The final chapter of EITHER/OR takes the form of a sermon? How does this form serve the author's intentions? How does it limit him? What other form might the final chapter have taken? How would that change the effect of the book for better or worse? Cite specific examples from the text to support your position.

(see the answer keys)

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