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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 does Cincinnatus start doing in his cell after Emmie's visit?

2. What does the director request Cincinnatus to do?

3. Which way does Rodion sharpen a pencil?

4. When did Cincinnatus first meet his mother?

5. How does Cincinnatus feel about his wife?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Marthe's father treat Cincinnatus?

2. What memory of his wife does Cincinnatus recall in his writing?

3. Describe the inside of the prison.

4. What reason does Cincinnatus give for needing to know the schedule for his execution?

5. At Cincinnatus's first meeting with M'sieur Pierre, what happens the first few times M'sieur Pierre asks Cincinnatus a question?

6. What ring does Cincinnatus describe wearing in his memory from his childhood?

7. Describe Cincinnatus's walk through the prison staircase.

8. At the end of his first day in prison, what does Cincinnatus think about?

9. What does Emmie do with the books in Cincinnatus' cell?

10. What does Cincinnatus hope to get out of seeing Marthe?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many things in the novel are superficial or fake. Discuss the role of superficiality and falseness in the novel.

1) How is superficiality a part of the culture of the novel?

2) What items in Cincinnatus' surroundings such as in his prison and his cell are fake? What do these fake items signify? How does Cincinnatus perceive them?

3) How are the people surrounding Cincinnatus fake? Why does he perceive them as unreal? What would make a person real to Cincinnatus?

Essay Topic 2

Pierre is an important element in the novel and a representative of the forces of society that are destroying Cincinnatus. Discus Pierre's character, his attitudes, and his reactions.

1) Why does Pierre present himself as a prisoner and try to become Cincinnatus' friend? How does Pierre view his relationship with Cincinnatus?

2) What does Pierre think of himself and his position in society? How does he promote himself? How does he use language and cultural dictates to create "truth?"

3) What elements of Cincinnatus's psyche does Pierre represent?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the hope of escape in the novel.

1) How does Cincinnatus interpret the drawings that he finds in the library catalog? How does he interpret the scratching sounds he hears in the wall?

2) Does hope of escape play a role in keeping Cincinnatus in prison? What would be necessary, in order for Cincinnatus to escape?

3) Who does Cincinnatus put his hope into? What does he expect from Emmie, Pierre, or other characters who might help him in some way?

(see the answer keys)

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