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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 epistemological position does the protagonist claim?

2. How old is the protagonist when her mother dies?

3. How many caultrons were in use?

4. Which of the following computer scientists does the protagonist claim to admire?

5. What group did Grothendieck lead?

Short Essay Questions

1. What vice does the protagonist admit to having?

2. What work did the protagonist’s father do after the use of atomic weapons in World War II?

3. How does the protagonist explain the decision to commit herself, rather than to be committed?

4. What vices does the protagonist deny having?

5. In what capacity is the protagonist initially assumed to work at IHES?

6. What attitude does the protagonist report her father had toward the use of atomic weapons in World War II?

7. How does the interlocutor note patients surprise him?

8. What is the significance of the Fields Medal?

9. What does the protagonist cite as the incident inciting her seeking admission at Stella Maris?

10. What agreement is implied to exist between the protagonist and interlocutor as the main text of the novel begins?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Conversely, given demonstrated efforts toward censorship in a number of countries, what would likely prompt bans of Stella Maris? By which groups? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Similarly, the lengths of chapters influence reading. What pattern of chapter-length is present in the novel, if any? What effect does the length of chapters have on the reading? How is the effect achieved?

Essay Topic 3

In the novel, some characters are given but one name, while others are given first names and surnames, and still others are accorded names and titles. What significance, if any, accrues to patterns of naming in the novel? If no significance accrues, what purpose might be served by the patterns of naming in the novel? How does Stella Maris bear as much out?

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This section contains 545 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample