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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 does Pascali meet in the hotel lobby?

2. With whom does Pascali ask to speak?

3. Of what is Pascali now convinced?

4. Why does Bowles refuse the offer?

5. What happens as Pascali waits at the hotel?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is there anything in this section that gives a different view of Bowles and perhaps makes him a more likable character?

2. Explain what Pascali has figured out and how Bowles fits into the picture.

3. When you read that Bowles does not show up at the hotel for his meeting with Izzet, are you surprised?

4. What does it suggest to you when Bowles insists on the removal of the soldiers at the evacuation site?

5. What is some information that Pascali has learned in this section and do you think any of the information will determine a course of action for Pascali?

6. What does Pascali take from Bowles' room and why does this show a different side of Pascali?

7. How is the slaughter of the sheep symbolic of a "slaughter" that takes place within Pascali?

8. How do you think Pascali's perception of Bowles relationship to Pascali enables Pascali to rationalize his blackmail of Bowles?

9. How does Pascali now see Bowles and how might that insight be both inaccurate and dangerous?

10. How is the previous foreshadowing come to completion in this final section?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The characters in Pascali's Island are the central focus of the novel; in other words, the characters drive the plot rather than the other way around as is the case in some novels. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Write an in-depth character analysis of Pascali. Include a physical description, personality traits, and what beliefs motivate him. What do you like and dislike about this character? Why? Give specific examples.

2. Write an in-depth character analysis of Bowles. Include a physical description, personality traits, and what beliefs motivate him. What do you like and dislike about this character? Why? Give specific examples.

3. Choose three other characters besides Pascali or Bowles and write about them in relationship to both Bowles and Pascali. Are they friendly or hostile to either main character? Explain with examples. What is their purpose(s) in the story?

Essay Topic 2

The theme of morality is introduced in Section 2 and is an integral part of understanding both the characters and the plot. 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 morality as it is used in this novel?

2. Do all the characters have the same definition of morality? How do the characters differ in the way they perceive morality and in how they perceive themselves as moral people?

3. How important is it to Bowles, Lydia, Pascali and Gesing that they are perceived as moral people? Give examples to illustrate each person's belief. How important is it to each of those characters that they are actually moral people? Is there a discrepancy? Why do you think this is?

Essay Topic 3

In Section 10, Bowles suggests he is working for another party, a fact that Pascali nearly misses in his desire for money. Pascali's failure to note this detail with more attention shows his deep desire to escape the island, as he is willing to believe anything for an opportunity of a better life. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text, your research or personal experience:

1. List some of the reasons Pascali thinks he has a terrible life on the island. Do you think his reasons are valid?

2. Do you think Pascali could have improved his life on the island? How? Why do you think he has not?

3. In Section 6, Pascali thinks eats grapes and halvah and realizes he loves them both, as he loves the island. This seems contradictory to his sometimes desperate desire to leave the island. Discuss how Pascali can both love and hate the island and his life there.

(see the answer keys)

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