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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 was Memoirs of Gluckel of Hameln published in its current edition?

2. What was the name of Gluckel's father?

3. How many days did Gluckel's family wait for carriages to arrive to take them to Gluckel's wedding?

4. How many Reichsthalers did the richest Jew in Altona own?

5. In her introduction to her memoirs, what kind of book did Gluckel write that she had no intention of writing because there were already many of them?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Introduction say about Gluckel's achievements as a woman?

2. Why did Gluckel's family leave Hamburg when she was young?

3. What were the families in Altona like? When and why did Gluckel's family return to Hamburg?

4. What reasons does the Introduction give for Gluckel writing the memoirs?

5. What did Gluckel write of "preaching" in Book I? Did she?

6. Who was Judah Berlin? How is he introduced in Book III?

7. Who are the eldest of Chayim's siblings described in Book II?

8. What dangerous situation did Chayim encounter while in business in Book III? How did this lead to business with Judah?

9. Who was Yenta and to whom was she betrothed?

10. To whom was Gluckel's sister betrothed? What was her father's position on the dowry?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the story that Gluckel tells of Mordecai. How was he related to the family? How did he die?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the dangers of travel and trade that Chayim and his family faced in the 17th Century. What different incidents are referred to in the book where Chayim or others faced danger while conducting business?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the themes of grief and death in The Memoirs of Gluckel of Hameln. What symbolism and imagery does the author use to support these themes?

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