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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 don Pedro doing when Damiana sees him through her window?

2. What is the name of Susana's dead husband?

3. Who tries to help don Pedro into the house before he dies?

4. What happens to Miguel's mother?

5. In what town is don Lucas, don Pedro's father, killed?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Fulgor compare Miguel to don Pedro?

2. What does Gerardo's wife tell him before he visits don Pedro?

3. Why does don Pedro want Susana's father to disappear in the mines?

4. Why does Susana think Father Rentería has come to see her?

5. Why doesn't don Pedro's lawyer continue holding his papers after he leaves?

6. Why is Fulgor Sedano happy about the rain?

7. Why does Father Rentería feel guilty about Miguel's crimes?

8. Why don't the men of Comala come to the marketplace?

9. What does Justina tell Susana she is going to tell don Pedro when he comes?

10. Why does Dorotea say she is no longer interested in the sky?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Don Pedro is a complex character. When the reader is introduced to him as a young boy, he is dreamy, innocent, and consumed with love for Susana. Over time, however, we see Pedro commit evil acts without regards to the feeling of others. Based on what you know about tragic heroes,do consider Pedro a tragic figure? Why or why not? Use specific examples from the text and compose an essay addressing the following aspects of his character:

- How do Pedro's emotions affect his actions?

- How do Fulgor's dealings with Pedro show the dual nature of Pedro's character?

- How does Pedro's reactions to Toribio and El Tilucate reveal his dual nature?

- What do you think is behind his unethical behavior? Why does he do the things that he does?

Essay Topic 2

Eduviges tells Juan that the secret of redemption is to die "when you want to" or else to force God "to take you before your time".

- Why do you think she says this?

- Much of the plot is developed through the stories of the dead. Why do you think Rulfo has ghosts tell the stories? What can we learn from the past? How does this relate to Eduviges' advice?

Essay Topic 3

Explain why you think "Pedro Páramo" is an example of Magical Realism. Using specific examples of the text, address the following themes:

- Use of the supernatural

- Realistic aspects

- Extraordinary occurring at the same time as the ordinary

Explain why you think Rulfo uses this style to tell his story. What does the Magical Realism genre allow him to do as an author?

(see the answer keys)

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