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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. Why is M. Othon's release from camp delayed?

2. In his struggle of conscience, who does Rambert resemble?

3. How does Rieux find out about his wife's condition?

4. What is preventing Rieux's visit to Grand and Cottard?

5. Why are many families not allowed to attend the funerals of loved ones?

Short Essay Questions

1. Comment on the change in M. Othon.

2. Why is there a steady supply of workers taking care of burials?

3. Explain the significance of The Plague's final paragraph.

4. Explain the poignancy of Dr. Rieux's walk through the streets.

5. What sort of man was Jean Tarrou's father?

6. How are local printing firms and newspapers able to profit by people's fear of the plague?

7. Account for the difference tenor and content of Fr Paneloux's new sermon, compared with that he gave at the conclusion of the Week of Prayer.

8. In Part 4 Chapter 3, what is the situation regarding the plague serum?

9. What gives the people cause for hope in Part 5 Chapter 1?

10. What is the significance of M. Grand's struggle against the plague in Part 4 Chapter 7?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify the sub-plots in The Plague. These concern the stories of certain characters. In an essay, show how the stories of characters compel us to be interested in the main plot--the struggle against the antagonist, which is the plague itself.

Essay Topic 2

The Plague depicts people coping with a terrible crisis. It is concerned with separation and loss. Choose three characters from the novel and discuss the way each of them deals with separation and loss.

Essay Topic 3

The Plague includes conflict between certain ideologies and world views. For example, between those who do not believe in Christianity (like Dr. Rieux) and those who do. There is also action that represents the conflict between the interests of the individual and those of society. Select an area of ideological conflict that interests you and discuss the way this is represented in The Plague. Is the conflict resolved?

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