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

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens to Maigrat when he runs from the miners?

2. How do the miners feel about the Borains?

3. What does Etienne think about his position as leader in the strike?

4. Who comes to visit the Maheus when Alzire is sick?

5. What is hiding like for Etienne?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The third section of the novel draws a portrait of the events that lead the miners to go on strike. It also shows the evolution of Étienne Lantier's political ideas.

1. What do you see as the stages in the evolution of Lantier's thinking from sympathy with the miners to action?

2. How might Etienne Lantier's own weaknesses have pushed him to organize the miners?

3. How did his strengths help him?

Use examples from the book to support your opinions.

Essay Topic 2

The army is now occupying Montsou, which means that the miners are powerless, a situation which fuels even more ambivalent anger.

1. How do you think powerlessness engenders anger?

2. What are alternatives to anger to deal with powerlessness?

3. Do you believe the anger seen in some civil rights groups in the 1960s in America stemmed from feeling powerless? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Grégoire summarizes the entire position of the typical bourgeois.

1. What do you see as his position?

2. What parts of Gregoire's position do you believe is true? What parts do you see as false?

3. Do you believe the wealthy class in America today would agree with Gregoire's position on the miners? Why or why not?

Use examples from the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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