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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 common quality can be found in Kafka, Proust and Plotinus?

2. What is the chief question pursued in THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV?

3. Who is the protagonist in The Trial?

4. Which art and science have close affinity?

5. What kind of thought is involved in the absurd?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What, for humanity, are the consequences of living in a world stripped of illusion?

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

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

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

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

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

8. In what ways is Sisyphus a rebel?

9. Why does Camus wonder if an absurd work of art is truly possible?

10. What is Camus' basic criticism of phenomenology?

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

Viewing this collection of Albert Camus' essays as a whole, how would you assess their importance in relation to current attitudes to the meaning of life, non-violence and conservation. This essay is a high-order task. You will need to demonstrate your deep understanding of the work you have studied. In preparation, you should review and reflect upon the central issues dealt with in Camus' work and check that you thoroughly understand his continual reference to the myths and philosophy of Ancient Greece.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay in which you explain the ways in which having a personal philosophy benefits the individual. You might like to consider how having a philosophy provides a strong rationale for life choices and actions. You might also consider the effects, for society, of multiple philosophies.

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This section contains 979 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample