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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 is the sergeant's problem with peace?

2. When Kattrin puts on Yvette's clothes, what about Yvette does she imitate?

3. Why does the young soldier think he deserves money?

4. What does Mother Courage compare the officers taking her son into the army to?

5. Why does the officer sell bullets for such a cheap price?

Short Essay Questions

1. Has Eilif's brutality finally caught up to him when peace is declared?

2. Why do all of Mother Courage's children have names of different origins?

3. Why won't they ring the church bells for the commander's funeral?

4. In Scene 6, does Mother Courage believe Kattrin will ever find a husband? Why or why not?

5. Why does Mother Courage continue to talk with the sergeant and recruiting officer even though they are trying to recruit her sons into the army?

6. Does Mother Courage think Kattrin will have an easy life as a wife?

7. What is Mother Courage's advice to the young soldier about anger and injustice?

8. Does the cook give an ultimatum to the parson to convince him to give them soup?

9. How does Mother Courage feel about her daughter, Kattrin?

10. Why can't Mother Courage tell the soldiers who arrested Swiss Cheese that he is her son?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Mother Courage" is full of dark humor and irony. Discuss Brecht's use of these tools in the play. Where does it appear? What affect does it have on the plot and other characters? Is it used effectively?

Essay Topic 2

Motherhood is one of the defining traits of Mother Courage's character. How does "motherhood" function in "Mother Courage and Her Children"?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss what characterizes and defines the climax and denouement of "Mother Courage".

(see the answer keys)

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