View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was unusual about Cincinnatus' sentence?

2. How old is Emmie?

3. How does the judge deliver Cincinnatus' sentence?

4. Who does Cincinnatus ask to turn off the lights before he goes to bed?

5. How long does the letter say Cincinnatus will have to wait for the interview?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the librarian.

2. How does Emmie say goodbye to Cincinnatus?

3. Why does Pierre turn into a circus performer?

4. How do all the prison guards react to the new prisoner?

5. How does Cincinnatus describe his difference from other people?

6. Besides how long Cincinnatus has until his execution, what else does Cincinnatus want to know from his captors? What is their response?

7. What does Emmie do with the water jug in Cincinnatus' cell?

8. What does Pierre say about himself?

9. What formula about mortality does Cincinnatus give, which he says applies to everyone?

10. What causes Cincinnatus to finally be caught?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Absurd and surreal events occur throughout the novel. Discuss the unreality of the novel.

1) In what ways could the novel be considered surrealist? In what ways is it not surrealist?

2) Do the events of the novel reflect Cincinnatus's mind, or do they reflect an objective reality? Is Cincinnatus subconsciously in control of the events?

3) Why does the author use incongruous and dreamlike events in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss communication in the novel.

1) Why does Cincinnatus believe he has communicated with whoever he hears digging a tunnel beyond his wall? How does he feel about having communicated? What does he hope to gain through this communication?

2) How does Cincinnatus use his writing to try to communicate? What is he trying to communicate, and to whom?

3) In what other ways does Cincinnatus try to communicate with those around him? What are the obstacles to communication?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 786 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample