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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 does the couple notice once they scale the wall?

2. What do the girls do to entice the boys at the event in Chapter 2?

3. What does Simone do when she wins the bet?

4. What does the narrator do when he lays with Simone on the beach?

5. What does the narrator note about the colors of the girls' stockings?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the violence of the thunderstorm linked to the violence of the actions of Simone and the narrator in Chapter 1?

2. Explain why, despite being modest, Simone and the narrator have the relationship they have?

3. How does the narrator avoid police capture in Chapter 3 and how is this possible?

4. Explain how the orgy in Chapter 2 takes place.

5. How does the narrator explain Marcelle's features as she gazes at the ocean?

6. Describe the first meeting in Chapter 3 between Simone and the narrator following the orgy.

7. Explain the mother's second encounter with the couple in their actions, and her reaction as well as the reaction of the couple.

8. Explain what Marcelle does during the orgy, and once the narrator lets her go.

9. In Chapter 3, the narrator contemplates suicide. Explain why, and what happens to change his mind.

10. What does the couple see almost immediately after entering the sanitarium grounds, and how do they know this indicates Marcelle is involved?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following topics to discuss:

1.) Many have criticized the novel as being pornographic without a cause. What do you think the ending moral of the story is? Do you believe the author had a purpose in writing the novel? If so, what was it? If not, why did he write the novel?

2.) There are several graphical scenes in the novel that use harsh, if not crude, words. Do you believe the author could have achieved his goals in writing the novel without such harsh language? Why or why not? What is the purpose of such language within the context of the book? Does it serve a purpose? If so, what is it? If not, why was it used?

3.) There are several references to very unusual sexual acts within the novel. Do you feel these references were necessarily graphic? Why or why not? Did these graphic depictions serve a purpose in the novel? If so, what was it? If not, why was the author so graphic in his depictions?

Essay Topic 2

The novel begins with the discovery of unusual sexual practices by two teenagers, and ends with the murder and mutilation of a priest for sexual gratification. Discuss, in detail, the journey of Simone and the narrator, and discuss the events which led to their downward spiral into murder. Be sure to include the involvement of parents, other associates, and the activities participated in.

Essay Topic 3

The narrator notes in the novel that people fear lewd behaviors because they have a secret desire to participate in them. Do you believe this is true? Why or why not? Does this statement explain the behaviors of the characters in the novel? Why or why not? If so, why are they willing to give in to such behaviors when other are not? If not, what is the real reason behind their activities?

(see the answer keys)

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