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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 the patrolman say has the potential to end crime, war, divorce, child abuse, and several other social ills?

2. What is the general public response after newspapers begin to publish articles about Howard Campbell?

3. What was unique about Arndt Klopfer's photography?

4. According to the narrator, what is the only part of a pig that is not used at the Chicago Stockyards?

5. What was the subject of a note Eichmann sends to the narrator when they are both in jail?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the scene at Jones' house after the narrator returns from his meeting with the Blue Fairy Godmother.

2. Describe what happened to the narrator after being beaten and knocked unconscious.

3. Describe the encounter at the mailboxes with the unnamed man with the shopping bag.

4. How did the narrator meet Werner von Braun and what detail does he recall from that meeting?

5. When the narrator returns to his ransacked attic home, what does it remind him of?

6. Describe Lazlo Szombathy, the man who uses the rope intended for the narrator. What had he done in his native country and after coming to America?

7. Where does Helga say she found the collection of the narrator's works? What is the significance of this place?

8. Describe the schoolteacher's wife's behavior in the bomb shelter. How does her husband respond?

9. What inspires August Krapptauer to start a youth movement and what is its key aim?

10. Summarize the key points of the narrator's radio address that was played at the Iron Guard meeting.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider Howard and Helga's "Nation of Two." Is such a concept a good idea for a couple, a family, or even a single person? Discuss pros and cons of small groups or individuals considering themselves to be their own nation.

Essay Topic 2

Adolf Eichmann plans to use the defense that he was just following orders and is, therefore, not personally responsible for the deaths of millions of Jews. Discuss this defense and whether it is ever acceptable.

Essay Topic 3

Compare the treatment of Nazis in Mother Night to portrayals of Nazis in other works of literature, movies, or television shows (some examples: Schindler's List, Sophie's Choice, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Sound of Music, Life is Beautiful, Hogan's Heroes, etc.). Does the novel present Nazis in a more or less favorable light than other works? Does the treatment of Nazis in Mother Night seem more or less realistic?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,017 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample