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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 assertions are always false?

2. What is indicated when melancholy arises in the human heart?

3. Who liberated Death?

4. What quality does Camus call 'the fatal evasion'?

5. What important factor limits human freedom?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what ways is Sisyphus a rebel?

2. What does Nietzsche mean when he says 'Great problems are in the street'?

3. According to Camus, what must we take into consideration when reading the works of Franz Kafka?

4. How does Camus differ from many other commentators when considering the work of Kafka?

5. What is absurd man and how can he deal with his predicament?

6. Why does Camus call Prometheus the 'first of modern conquerors'?

7. Why is Sisyphus completely appropriate as the absurd hero?

8. What is Camus' attitude to Galileo?

9. How does Camus describe the Church's treatment of heretics?

10. What does humanity need to do in order to understand the world?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

'It is possible to classify much of Camus' writing as 'prose poetry' because of its poetic qualities.' To what extent would you agree with this comment? Does his writing indeed possess poetic qualities? You will need to look at his use of imagery, figurative language, structure and level of language (diction). This might best be approached by analyzing one or two passages of your choice.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay in which you argue for or against Camus' proposition that Sisyphus was happy in the eternal performance of his useless task. You will need to consider the chain of events that resulted in Sisyphus's fate. It will also be necessary for you to discuss Camus position regarding the absurd and your own response to this. There are no right or wrong answers in philosophy, but you will be assessed on the strength and validity of your argument as well as your written expression and the proper construction of your essay.

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think Camus has chosen what he terms 'extreme examples' in his essay on Absurd Creation? Consider the function that anecdotes and examples perform in explanation, citing more than one context. Do Camus' examples make it easier to follow his argument? Are the examples appropriate or might others have been used? Suggest one alternative and justify your choice.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,000 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample