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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. Which books often drive people to insanity?

2. From what point of view is "The Garden of Forking Paths" written?

3. Who is the student searching for in "The Approach to Al-Mu'tasim"?

4. Which poem does Pierre Menard describe as being an essential work of literature?

5. Which chess pieces are discussed in Menard's chess article?

Short Essay Questions

1. What opinion does the narrator of "Pierre Menard, Author of Don Quixote" have of Menard's work?

2. Why do some players of the Babylon lottery end up in jail?

3. Why does Dr. Yu Tsun murder Dr. Albert?

4. What opinion does Pierre Menard have of Cervantes' "Don Quixote"?

5. What does Dr. Stephen Albert reveal to Dr. Yu Tsun?

6. In "The Examination of the World of Herbert Quain," how does Borges use fictional literature to present his themes?

7. What inconsistencies exist in the writings of Herbert Quain?

8. Describe Herbert Quain.

9. What fear does the Company in "The Babylon Lottery" inspire?

10. How does the Babylon lottery cause an uprising?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Borges' use of labyrinths in "Ficciones." How does a labyrinth differ from a maze? How do characters create labyrinths, and what purpose do they serve? What warnings does Borges give his readers through the use of labyrinths?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the use of metaphors in "Ficciones." How do implicit metaphors differ from implicit metaphors? How do metaphors express themes more clearly than plain narrative? What analogies does Borges create in his stories?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Borges' use of infinity. How does he use verbal imagery to describe the concept of infinity? What relationship does Borges' create between the infinite universe and the finite human mind? How does he use infinite images and descriptions to express his themes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,193 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample