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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. Who is uneasy in Lydia's world?

2. For what does Pascali blame the Sultan?

3. To whom is Pascali writing?

4. Why is Pascali perturbed when he delivers the contract to Bowles?

5. Whose name is spoken softly to Pasha?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some signs of the high level of tension present on the island?

2. Describe the presentation of the wax figure of the Saint and how you might interpret this event.

3. What are some clues that Pascali thinks he has inadvertently given as to his status as a spy?

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

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

6. Of what does Pascali warn the Sultan, which taken in historical retrospect is "bad advice"?

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

8. What does Lydia report about the Sultan and how does this report impact Pascali?

9. What seems to suggest that Bowles knows more about the local situation than he pretends?

10. In continuing his report to the Sultan, what parallels does Pascali note?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Greed informs the actions of many of the characters and ultimately leads to the actual deaths of several of them. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text, your research or personal experience:

1. List the major characters in order of how greedy they seem to be; include Pascali, Bowles, Lydia, Pasha, Izzet, and Smith--and any others you choose. How does greed affect each character?

2. Why do you put whoever you chose in the position of being the greediest? The least greedy? Do you consider any of the major characters as not having any inclinations towards greed? Why or why not?

3. Do you think any of these characters are justified in being greedy? Why or why not? Is greed EVER justified? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

In section 8, at the church, the wax figure of the Saint is brought forward covered by a curtain, where priests prepare him for the reenactment of the Ascension. When the curtain is drawn back, the statue is standing, clothed in robes as has been enacted for years. However, on this day, something has gone wrong and the statue suddenly falls forward, striking the concrete and beheads itself. Choose one of the following and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. In addition to much symbolism in this novel, there are also a number of metaphors. Define metaphor and symbolism and compare the two using specific examples both from the book and other sources. Which do you feel is more effective? Which seems better at expressing the idea of an abstract concept? Why would you use one over the other--give specific examples.

2. For what do you think this scene is a metaphor? Explain using specific examples. Does the metaphor work for you?

3. Write a real or hypothetical situation in your personal experience that includes one or more abstract concepts and then create a metaphor to express that experience. Next, choose a way to use symbolism in the telling of the experience. Which way seems more effective at portraying the experience?

Essay Topic 3

In section 7, as Pascali readies for the meeting with Pasha, he is again disturbed by Bowles' consistent maintenance of a sense of moral superiority. This statement could be considered ironic for several reasons. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. How would you define the concept of irony?

2. Why could the statement above be considered ironic? Use examples and detail in your explanation.

3. Pascali has a number of thoughts or makes statements that are ironic, though he seldom realizes this fact. Go through the text and find several instances of ironic thoughts or statements from Pascali and explain the situation and why you believe it to be ironic.

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