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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 promise Gretchen in "A Garden"?

2. What is the purpose of the item Faust gives Gretchen at the end of "Martha's Garden"?

3. What does Faust see around Gretchen's neck in his vision of her in "Walpurgis Night"?

4. What does Gretchen do with the daisy she picks while walking with Faust?

5. What does Faust give Gretchen at the end of "Martha's Garden"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the significance of Gretchen fearing Mephistopheles at the end of the play.

2. Describe Faust's vision of Gretchen.

3. Who is Barbara, and why is she being discussed by Gretchen and Lieschen?

4. Describe the enormity of Gretchen's sorrows.

5. What agreement does Faust and Mephistopheles come to when the former discovers that Gretchen had been pregnant and is now in prison and why?

6. What happens to Gretchen at the end of "A Cathedral"?

7. What does Faust ask of Gretchen during "Martha's Garden" and how does she (and Mephistopheles) react to this?

8. How does Valentine react to Gretchen's plight, as well as the presence of Faust?

9. During "Martha's Garden," what does Gretchen admit to worrying about in regards to Mephistopheles?

10. Why must Faust lie to Martha about her husband?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What roles do women play in the society of this play? Why is it significant that the town and Valentine held Gretchen's worth so high but immediately tore her down because of her pregnancy? How is the unseen-character of Barbara related to this fact? How does Faust, despite his professed love of Gretchen, also reduce her character down to what he wants her to be? How does Martha and her role as an abused wife suggest the esteem in which women are held? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

What purposes do the scenes entitled "Walpurgis Night" and "A Walpurgis Night's Dream" serve in this play? Discuss this in the following format:

Part 1) Allusions to Greek mythology, the Bible, and other works of literature.

Part 2) Faust's uneasiness at the celebration.

Part 3) The vision of Gretchen in relation to the purpose of Walpurgis Night.

Part 4) Mephistopheles's reactions to being amongst his people.

Part 5) The absurdities of the humans.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the use of symbolism in "Faust" in the following format:

Part 1) The Easter celebration.

Part 2) The black poodle.

Part 3) The "crowning" of Mephistopheles in "A Witch's Kitchen."

Part 4) The jewels.

Part 5) Flowers.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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