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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 NOT a reason listed among Nella's reasons for accepting Johannes's marriage proposal?

2. In order for Johannes to feel his wife's encouragement, what plan does Nella make?

3. In what year does the first chapter of Part One take place?

4. What instrument had Nella played for Johannes during their very brief courtship?

5. How does Nella go about contacting the miniaturist to request an order?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Nella's marital status when she first arrives at the Brandt home?

2. Describe the character of Agnes Meerman.

3. How does Marin hurt Nella physically and why?

4. What does Nella's parakeet Peebo symbolize?

5. What is Johannes's reply when Nella asks him whether they are rich?

6. What is Nella's mother's reply when Nella says she does not want to be the kind of wife that behaves as the "rams and ewes of Assendelft" (26) do?

7. For what reason is Nella reluctant to answer Agnes's question about who made Nella's miniatures?

8. What is ironic about Nella's mother's comment that there is only one kind of wife?

9. What warning does Otto issue to Nella concerning her parakeet and Marin?

10. Describe Marin's character.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author's messages about guilt and responsibility within the novel The Miniaturist.

Essay Topic 2

Write a critical essay about the novel while using the critical power theory lens of feminist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of gender roles, the depiction of the oppression of women, female empowerment, misogyny's role within society, or any other issues related to feminist theory that can be found in the book.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author's use of metaphor, simile, imagery, and other literary devices as a means to send particular thematic messages within the narrative of The Miniaturist.

(see the answer keys)

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