![]() |
Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. What gift does Tamkin give to Wilhelm?
2. How much money does Tamkin invest?
3. Why can't Wilhelm figure Tamkin out?
4. Who says, "You really are a killer-diller."?
5. Who is the very old man that can't see the board?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
When we meet Wilhelm, he considers himself a complete failure. The motif of failure reappears throughout the book.
Part 1) Why is failure significant in this story? What is Wilhelm's relationship with failure?
Part 2) Sometimes failure is defined by its inverse - success. How does Dr. Adler's success help illuminate not only Wilhelm's failure, but some of his own shortcomings?
Part 3) What does Wilhelm learn from his failure, if anything? Do you think he will apply these lessons to his life beyond the book? Why or why not?
Essay Topic 2
Foreshadowing is a literary device that is used quite often in the book.
Part 1) What is foreshadowing?
Part 2) Cite 3 examples of foreshadowing and how they're used in the text.
Part 3) Why is foreshadowing important in this particular story? What effect does it have on us as readers?
Essay Topic 3
In defense of his own intentions, Tamkin tells Wilhelm, "I deal in facts. Facts are always sensational. I'll say that a second time. Facts always! are sensational."
Part 1) What does Tamkin mean by this?
Part 2) How does this serve his own end with Wilhelm?
Part 3) Do you agree with Tamkin? Why or why not?
Part 4) Wilhelm later states, "These hints, made dully as asides, grew by repetition into sensational claims." Does this change the meaning of Tamkin's statement? What is Wilhelm saying about Tamkin and his deceiver's tactics?
This section contains 324 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) |
![]() |