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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. When Gretchen re-enters her room in "Evening," how does she begin to feel?

2. When Faust is interrupted in his suicide attempt, what refreshes his faith in God?

3. What comforts Gretchen's mother when the priest takes the jewels away?

4. What does Martha admit about the second box of jewelry?

5. What does Mephistopheles promise Gretchen at the end of "The Neighbor's House"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What primary function does the clown serve during "Prelude on the Stage"?

2. Why is Mephistopheles bored with and disdainful of mankind?

3. What leads up to Faust's suicide attempt and what stops him?

4. How does the poodle behave before transforming into Mephistopheles?

5. What is the fate of the first box of jewels that Mephistopheles secretly leaves Gretchen and why?

6. What does Gretchen admit out loud to herself while she is alone during "Evening"?

7. What does Mephistopheles suggest to Gretchen about marriage and why?

8. Describe Faust's crisis during "Night" and "Outside the Town Wall."

9. Describe the steps taken to make Faust appear younger.

10. Describe the bargain between Faust and Mephistopheles.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Faust's innate skepticism of higher powers help lead to his downfall? How is this related to his agreement to Mephistopheles's bargain? In addition to his doubts about Mephistopheles's power, why does this lead Faust into a troubled relationship with God? How and why does Faust retain this skepticism throughout the play? What does this suggest about his character as a whole? Discuss these questions (though not exclusively) in a brief essay about Faust's skepticism while using strong examples from the text to support these arguments.

Essay Topic 2

What is meta-theater? How is meta-theater used in "Faust"? Describe the scene or scenes in which this concept is present and how it affects the characters. What purpose does it serve, and how does it frame the rest of the play? Does it alter the mood of the play at all? If so, how? How do these moments of meta-theater change the readers perceptions of the play?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss God and Mephistopheles in the following format:

Part 1) Their similarities and differences.

Part 2) Their relationship and how it affects the world.

Part 3) Their differing opinions on the human race.

Part 4) Their relationships with their followers.

Part 5) Their methods of balancing each others' influence and power.

Part 6) The subversion of good versus evil.

(see the answer keys)

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