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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What analogy does Paz use to explain Mexico's history?
(a) A child without a future.
(b) A man searching for his parents.
(c) A child without a family.
(d) A man searching for his wife.

2. How do Mexicans avoid the dangers of romantic relationships, according to Paz?
(a) By exaggerating their feelings.
(b) By denying the importance of the other.
(c) By not truly loving.
(d) By stifling their feelings.

3. Why did Catholicism drastically change the Aztec view of life?
(a) It emphasized man's humanity and personhood.
(b) It placed man's salvation outside himself.
(c) It saw life linearly rather than cyclically.
(d) It placed a merciful God in charge.

4. As Paz begins Chapter Two, he says that the Mexican is always afraid to glance at his neighbor. What reason does he give for that?
(a) His neighbor reveals the disillusioned character of Mexico.
(b) His neighbor is a pathetic version of himself.
(c) The glance could reveal his isolation.
(d) The glance could spark rage.

5. Why does a Mexican blend into his surroundings and become solely Appearance?
(a) He fears appearances.
(b) He wants to end his individuality.
(c) He fears human interaction.
(d) He loves appearance.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is death a part of the fiesta (Chapter Three)?

2. Paz discusses the result of persecution on the pachuco. What is that result?

3. When does intimacy sprout among Mexicans?

4. How does a man become "like the angels" (Chapter Three, page 61)?

5. When does the pachuco become his true self?

Short Essay Questions

1. How important are fiestas in Mexican culture? What relationship exists between the fiesta and the individual?

2. What is left of the colonial world? Are those remnants the best or the worst parts that could be left behind?

3. What is the modern view of death? How is it dramatically different from the Aztec view?

4. How is the modern murderer different from a murderer of the past? How has modernity contributed to that difference?

5. What happens during the fiesta? What is the emotional result?

6. How do Mexicans view their bodies? How does their view contribute to their wish for privacy?

7. How does Paz explain the Mexican woman's role in society? How does that strip her of her personality?

8. What is Paz's understanding of woman? How does it fit the Mexican mindset?

9. What is the Mexican's ideal of manliness? How does it affect his interactions with other people?

10. What group of people did the author have in mind as he wrote the book? How and why did those people become important to him?

(see the answer keys)

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