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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 is the cushioning on the hunger artist's stage?

2. The artist's inner what is always rankled?

3. What would the lax watchers do in a huddled corner?

4. Who is bound to be the sole, completely satisfied spectator of the artist's fast?

5. In what tense is "A Hunger Artist" written?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who helps the artist from his cage?

2. What has happened to the interest in fasting at the beginning of the story? How has this affected the artist?

3. What causes the hunger artist and the impresario to part ways?

4. What does the artist recollect about the old days in contrast to now?

5. Describe briefly which of the three allegorical interpretations discussed in class with which you most agree.

6. Describe the hunger artist. What does he look like? What does he wear?

7. What is the artist's point of view regarding the impresario's excuses? What is his view of the audience reaction?

8. What happens once the impresario has shaken the weakened artist following the fast?

9. What is the major contrast between the circus and the artist's previous days working solo?

10. What spectators does the artist prefer? What do these spectators do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the autobiographical elements of "A Hunger Artist." What similarities are there between the artist and the author? What differences?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of self-hatred and inadequacy as it applies to the story and to the artist. How does the author convey this theme?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the term "Kafkaesque." What qualities does work of this style and or mood convey?

(see the answer keys)

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