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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. In Book V, Stanza 4, what is the spirit's identity?

2. When Maldoror starts following Mervyn, what is his dilemma?

3. In Book V, Stanza 6, what message is given about the child?

4. In Book IV, Stanza 5, why does Maldoror say he once scalped a man?

5. In Book V, Stanza 1, what does the narrator say he fears will happen to the reader?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Book V, Stanza 3, how does the narrator describe people's relationship to death?

2. What happens when Maldoror sees the man hanging from the gallows?

3. What does the narrator reflect on in Book IV, Stanza 1?

4. What introduction to Book V does the narrator give?

5. How has the man in Book IV, Stanza 7 adapted to living at sea?

6. What happened to Maldoror in Book IV, Stanza 4?

7. Why does the man in Book IV, Stanza 7 live at sea?

8. Why does Maldoror remember being angry with Falmer?

9. In Book V, Stanza 2, what does the beetle do?

10. Why is Maldoror still alive in Book IV, Stanza 4?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast at least two of Maldoror's victims and consider what each victim represents. Why would the author use this juxtaposition?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the theme of evil throughout "Lautréamont's Maldoror." Discuss how these themes are presented and how free will is part of evil or goodness, giving examples from the text of the choices that a person can make.

Essay Topic 3

Explore the theme of morality in this poem. What is Lautréamont's message? Give examples from the poem to support your statements about morality.

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