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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. How did Inez really die?

2. What item does Estelle ask the others for?

3. Where do Olga and Peter go?

4. Who says that s/he is "rotten to the core"?

5. Garcin was a...

Short Essay Questions

1. What do you think of Inez's promise to not do Garcin any harm if he leaves her and Estelle in peace?

2. Why do you think that Inez would rather deal with hell face to face?

3. What does Garcin mean when he says that he can see where talking to each other will lead?

4. Do you think that Garcin really would prefer physical torture? Which would you prefer--physical or mental anguish of this kind?

5. What do you think is the worst thing Garcin did to his wife?

6. What is Inez guilty of?

7. Why does Estelle shed no actual tears when she cries?

8. How is Inez's volunteering to be the mirror for Estelle symbolic?

9. If Inez does not seem to care about her appearance, why does she normally carry a mirror?

10. Why does Inez describe Estelle's mouth as cruel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Because these characters are dead, issues of death and dying strongly affect the way they behave. Describe how each character died, using as many specifics as you can remember from the play. After you describe how each character died, chose one of the following below and write one paragraph:

A) In your opinion, which death was the "worst" or most unfortunate, and why?

B) Describe which death you feel was most appropriate, that is: which character deserved to die the way they did, and why?

Essay Topic 2

How one character punishes another is of primary importance in this play. The reasons why these three are each other's perfect torturers are revealed in the action of the play and in the things the characters say to each other. Chose one of the following and write an essay:

A) How Inez is the best torturer for Garcin.

B) How Garcin is the best torturer for Estelle.

C) How Estelle is the best torturer for Inez.

Be sure to explain the specific ways in which the character tortured his/her fellow character, and why their particular ways of inflicting pain were sure to be the most painful. In addition, briefly state which one would be the best torturer for you and why.

Essay Topic 3

Inez proclaims herself cruel, saying "I'm your lark-mirror, my dear, and you can't escape me....There isn't any pimple, not a trace of one. So what about it? Suppose the mirror started telling lies? Or suppose I covered my eyes--as he is doing--and refused to look at you."

1. Contextualize this passage in terms of the section of the scene it comes from: What is happening when Inez says it?

2. Analyze what role the mirror symbol plays in this section. Why use this symbol right now?

3. What does it demonstrate about Garcin's relationship to Estelle?

(see the answer keys)

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