View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When the narrator dreams of a huge cloud on the horizon, in what location does she find herself in the dream?

2. As the narrator flips through television channels while unable to sleep, she determines that everything falls into how many categories?

3. The fact with which the narrator is most infatuated has to do with what part of the human body?

4. One of the vignettes focuses on a poet who works in what capacity?

5. The vignettes mentioning Menchu focuses on what type of ruler?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the message contained within the vignette entitled "Travel Sizes"?

2. How is personification used to underscore the deep love Blau has for the study of anatomy?

3. What type of metaphor does Tokarczuk use to describe the river near her childhood home and why?

4. What is ironic about Blau's "unproblematic" (133) romantic life prior to his marriage?

5. What conclusions does the narrator draw about islands and why?

6. How does the unnamed narrator feel about islands and why?

7. How does the theme of deception arise within Blau's visit to Mrs. Mole's home?

8. How is repetition used within the story about Kunicki and for what purpose?

9. What discordant image is at the center of the vignette entitled "Cleopatras"?

10. What method does the narrator prefer when dealing with locations in which she has been hurt?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the function of Kunicki's character within the novel? Discuss the characterization methods used by Tokarczuk in depicting Kuncki and his family and include in your discussion the reasons that Tokarczuk portrays the characters in these particular ways.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Tokarczuk’s messages about guilt and responsibility within Flights. Focus especially on elements such as the feelings of responsibility Verheyen’s protege feels toward Verheyen, even after his mentor’s death.

Essay Topic 3

What messages does Tokarczuk send about coping mechanisms and what themes are employed in order to send these messages to the reader?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 920 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample