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1. Describe the main character of the novel.

Moses Herzog is the main character of the book. He spends most of his days writing letters to people, including people he knows and does not know whether they are dead or alive. He is recently divorced from his second wife Madeleine, and he lives alone in the Berkshires. Herzog is a professor of Romanticism, and he is working on his second book. Herzog's personality leans towards the mentally unstable as is evident by his random letter writing, yet he is still able to teach.

2. Who is Madeleine?

Madeleine is Herzog's second wife. She lived with Herzog in the Berkshires until she fell for Herzog's friend, Valentine. She remains in Chicago with Valentine while Herzog travels to help ease and heal his mind.

3. Why does Herzog leave the academic life?

Herzog abandons the academic life because he thinks he should when he is married to Madeleine. Madeleine did not, at first, want Herzog to be a professor, so he also began distrusting his work.

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