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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. When Pierre talks to CIncinnatus about the execution, when does he say it is scheduled for?

2. What does Cincinnatus do after he writes his last word?

3. What does Pierre lecture Cincinnatus on, in the evening after Emmie tells Cincinnatus she is planning his escape?

4. What does Cincinnatus bump into after he is awakened by scratching noises?

5. What does Rodrig want to add to Pierre's speech?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the librarian do when Cincinnatus tries to express his true thoughts?

2. How does Rodion act toward Cincinnatus?

3. How does Cincinnatus react when Pierre, the director, and the lawyer announce that it is time for his execution?

4. Describe what happens to Cincinnatus's cell when the tunnel is completed.

5. Describe the plot of Quercus.

6. How does Marthe get permission to come and see Cincinnatus?

7. What announcements does the deputy city director make before the execution?

8. What does Emmie's mother describe as Emmie's last prank before going back to school?

9. What does Pierre realize that he has forgotten in his speech?

10. What does Cincinnatus's letter to Marthe say?

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

Cincinnatus is unable to hide his difference because of his emotional reaction to Marthe's disloyalty, and during his imprisonment, one of his main concerns is seeing Marthe again. Discuss Marthe's role in the novel.

1) Why does Cincinnatus love Marthe? Why does he believe that he can make a human connection with her? Is Marthe in any way what Cincinnatus wants her to be?

2) Why does Marthe bring her whole family to her first meeting with Cincinnatus during his imprisonment? Why does she visit him a second time? What does her behavior at these visits say about Marthe's personality and character?

3) How does Marthe perceive Cincinnatus's crime and imprisonment?

Essay Topic 3

The novel revolves around Cincinnatus's persecution for a crime, but his crime is never clearly explained. Discuss the nature of Cincinnatus's crime.

1) What does "gnostic turpitude" mean? How does this phrase describe Cincinnatus' crime?

2) What does the episode in Cincinnatus's childhood when he walks in the air reveal about Cincinnatus' crime?

3) How do the other characters react to Cincinnatus' crime and what does this reveal about the nature of the crime? What is Cincinnatus's own attitude, and why won't he repent?

(see the answer keys)

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