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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 Pnin's first name?

2. What does the professor, who Pnin decides to track down in Chapter 3, teach at the college?

3. What is Pnin dependent on using when he reaches the town in Chapter 1?

4. Why was Pnin's office recently relocated?

5. What does Laurence learn from Pnin, in Chapter 2, that helps to change how he feels about him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Pnin tell Joan about his background in Chapter 2?

2. Describe Pnin's fellow professor, Oleg Komarov.

3. What does the library request of Pnin in Chapter 3?

4. How does Laurence Clements feel about Pnin staying in his house?

5. What happens to Pnin at the bus station that has been happening since he was a child?

6. Where is Pnin a professor at in Chapter 1?

7. What word does Pnin look up in the dictionary and why?

8. What happens when Pnin calls the Clementses to rent the room in their house?

9. Why does Pnin seek out Oleg Komarov in Chapter 3?

10. How well does Pnin speak English? Describe in detail.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare Victor's relationship with his parents to his relationship with Pnin, examining the differences and similarities. What kind of parents are Dr. Wind and Liza? Does Pnin treat Victor as if he is his own son? How does Victor view Pnin compared to his parents? How does Dr. Wind feel about Pnin and Victor having a relationship?

Essay Topic 2

The author of "Pnin" emphasizes a certain amount of dullness in the academic life. Examine the premise of dullness of academic life in the novel "Pnin". Does this dull feeling fit Pnin's personality and character? Are the other professors at the college depicted as dull? What do the students do that is the same every year? How are the butterflies depicted? Why does this particularly year have a dark undertone?

Essay Topic 3

The story of Pnin can be enhanced by learning about the author of the book. Research the author Vladimir Nabokov, comparing him to the character of Professor Timofey Pnin. How are Pnin and Nabokov similar? How are Pnin and Nabokov different? Why would Nabokov write a book that clearly is very related to his own life? How is "Pnin" an indicator of Nabokov's life as an immigrant?

(see the answer keys)

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