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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 does Faust believe about the townspeople he and Wagner walk with during their holiday celebration after his suicide attempt?

2. Where does "Night" take place?

3. What does Mephistopheles claim happened to Martha's husband?

4. What does Mephistopheles advise Martha to do in terms of grieving her husband?

5. What does Mephistopheles promise to attempt to secure for Faust in regards to the girl at the end of "A Street?"

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Faust and Mephistopheles plan to get the girl for Faust at the end of "A Street"?

2. What does Martha suggest Gretchen do with the second box of jewelry in "The Neighbor's House"?

3. What debate arises between Mephistopheles and God in regards to Faust?

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

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

6. For what reasons does the director decide that the audience should experience a journey from heaven to hell in this play?

7. Why is the witch in a bad mood when she finally appears to Faust and Mephistopheles?

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

9. Why does the black poodle disturb Faust?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about the character of Faust in the following format:

Part 1) His crisis of faith and depression.

Part 2) His personality.

Part 3) His relationship with God and Mephistopheles.

Part 4) His use of manipulation in love.

Part 5) His feelings of guilt in regards to both Gretchen and his bargain with the devil.

Develop a clear thesis statement about Faust and be sure to discuss the changes Faust undergoes in each category. Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

What significance does the Easter holiday play in "Faust"? How do the hymnals affect the titular character and why? What are some connotations associated with Easter that can be applied, literally or ironically, to "Faust"? How does the Easter celebration reveal Faust's deep insecurities and regrets in life? Discuss these ideas in an essay (do not limit yourself to simply answering these questions). Develop a clear thesis statement and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

How do characters in "Faust" use manipulation to their own advantage? How does Mephistopheles manage to manipulate every human he comes into contact with and why? How does Faust himself manipulate Gretchen? What are the consequences of these manipulations? Why is it significant that Faust is unable to admit to himself that he has manipulated Gretchen, while Mephistopheles rarely hides his intentions? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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