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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 object did Aunt Julle purchase to impress Hedda?

2. Who arrives unexpectedly to stay with Mr. and Mrs. Solness?

3. Why does Solness finally agree to give Ragnar a kind word about his work?

4. What month of the year is it upon Hedda and Jorgen's return?

5. Which of the assistants was once the Master Builder?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the implications to Hedda of Brack knowing Lovborg died by one of her pistols?

2. Why is Solness afraid of youth?

3. What does Hedda claim spurred her original interest in Ejlert Lovborg, years ago?

4. How does Hedda initially react to the news of Lovborg's suicide?

5. Why does Hedda burn the manuscript?

6. Ultimately, why does Solness finally grant Ragnar's request?

7. Why is Ejlert unable to return Mrs. Elvsted's love sufficiently?

8. How does Hedda convince Lovborg to go to the party?

9. What are the factors that, combined, mean such despair for Hedda that she must end her life?

10. Describe Solness' relationship with Kaja?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In all the plays in the collection, there is a common theme: the inability to escape one's past. How does this theme play out in each of the four works? Which characters are the most affected by their denials of their pasts? What are the ultimate consequences in each of the works?

Essay Topic 2

Examine Mrs. Alving's "ghosts." When do they appear? As whom do they appear? What echoes of her past does she see in the present? Is she able to escape any of her past experiences? What is her character's arc throughout the play? Be sure to provide textual examples.

Essay Topic 3

Choose two of the four works in the collection. How does morality shape the events of the play? Are there immoral characters that learn morality, and vice versa? Is Ibsen making a statement about morality, and if so, what does he wish to convey? Is the moral choice usually the socially acceptable choice in the works? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 668 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample