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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 Herr Gesing believe about British trade?

2. Who is too smart to get caught red-handed?

3. For how much does Bowles obtain the lease?

4. To whom is Pascali writing?

5. How does a lack of the true effects of lighting cause Lydia's painting to look according to Pascali?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Bowles ostensibly say is his interest in the Sanctuary of Artemis?

2. Of what does the fact that Bowles is walking and talking with Pascali in public remind Pascali?

3. How might Pascali actually be creating a wall between him and the townspeople and then misinterpreting the townspeople's actions?

4. What are some images that seem to suggest the violence that is simmering just below the surface on this island?

5. How is the theme of deceit demonstrated by Bowles during the transaction with Pasha?

6. How does the conversation between Lydia and Pascali about the fisherman show that Lydia is lying?

7. If you were receiving Pascali's spy reports, how would you treat them?

8. What is a theme that predominates this section?

9. What are some of the signs of violence/tension that seem just below the surface in Pascali?

10. What is the meaning of the phrase utriusque capex and how can this ability be useful to a spy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Getting the most out of this novel requires some familiarity with the existing organization of Europe and the Middle East during the time period of the novel. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. What was the Ottoman Empire? What time frame did it span? Who ruled the Empire?

2. What is the political relationships between the Ottoman Empire and major European Countries at that time--particularly to Germany and Britian.

3. How does the Ottoman Empire inform the plot and actions of this novel? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Pascali seems convinced that his death (at the hands of an assassin) is imminent. Much of what he does is motivated from a sense of self-preservation. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Give the reasons Pascali thinks he has been found out to be a spy. Do they seem valid?

2. How does Pascali think he himself inadvertently "outed" himself as a spy? Give examples. Are the reasons he give ones that would make you suspect someone of being a spy?

3. After Pascali meets up with Politis in section 8, the exchange between the two of them changes Pascali's thoughts about whether the townspeople have figured out he is a spy. How does he change? Does this change seem logical and based on solid reasoning?

4. At the end of the book, Pascali is again waiting for his death, thinking that there are those who want to kill him. What seems to be the truth to you? Is Pascali in danger? Why or why not? Was he ever in danger throughout the entire book? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

In Section 9, the symbolic representation of Bowles' arm and Lydia's body as they made love in Pascali's memory shows Pascali's belief that Bowles and he are unique in their ability to blend reality with lies. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text, your research or personal experience:

1. Do you think the ability to blend reality with lies is unique to Pascali and Bowles in the novel? Who else do you think has this ability? Is it an ability? A defect in character? A psychological problem?

2. How about in "real" life--do you know people who blend reality with lies? Give some examples when you have encountered someone who does this. Did it make you distrust the person?

3. Is there ever a good reason to blend reality with lies? What about for emotional protection when a child is in an abusive situation? Ultimately who is most harmed by someone who blends reality with lies--the one doing it or the one who believes the person? Or both?

(see the answer keys)

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