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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. In what ways are the thinker and the artist alike?

2. What is the most harrowing passion of all?

3. What is the main idea in the final paragraph of the essay 'The Myth of Sisyphus'?

4. What comment of Nietzsche's does Camus make reference to near the beginning of the chapter on Philosophy and Fiction?

5. Which novel deals with a soul in quest of grace?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Camus claim that there can be no experience of death?

2. In mentioning the Diary (p. 100 of the Penguin edition), to what does Camus draw attention?

3. What is The Trial about?

4. According to Camus, should don Juan be punished?

5. According to the quotation from Nietzsche, what vital function is performed by art?

6. What important feature of Dostoevsky's work does Camus explore in the section entitled 'Kirilov'?

7. What two views of Sisyphus are mentioned by Camus?

8. Why is the fame of a writer likely to endure and that of an actor not to do so?

9. What were Sisyphus's sins against the gods, for which he was punished?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Camus' work has within it much that is lyrical in its description of place. Choose a short passage from either his essay on Algiers, Oran or Tipasa and analyse its literary qualities. You will need to comment on word choice, sentence structure, use of imagery and symbolism in the passage. Look also for scenic and emotional contrasts.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay that deals thoughtfully with the following:

In an absurd world, is not philosophy itself absurd? If life has no meaning, why have learned people--over many centuries from Ancient Greece to the present--devoted so much time to discussing it? Might they not have been better occupied?

In other words, you will be demonstrating that philosophy is a necessary activity for mature humanity.

Essay Topic 3

'Camus' use of Franz Kafka's work is particularly apt when we consider the idea of the absurd world.' Discuss the way Camus cites Kafka in the course of his exposition on the absurd. You will need to relate characters and incidents to ideas expressed by Camus. You will also need to consider implications of those ideas. It is important, too, to include any necessary critique of the way Camus has referred to Kafka's work.

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