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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 does the narrator say Napoleon has a passion for?

2. Who is the author of 'The Passion'?

3. Where is Bonaparte´s Josephine from?

4. What is a vivandiere?

5. What did Patrick do before he was recruited by Napoleon?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn´t Patrick pray to the Virgin Mary? Why does he think this?

2. What does Patrick say the channels are full of? What danger lies in the channels?

3. What happened to Villanelle´s mother when she was pregnant with Villanelle? What does she believe was the result of this?

4. What does the waiter bring Villanelle while she is waiting for work? Who does she see soon after?

5. What does Villanelle call Venice? If one gets lost, what does Villanelle say will not save you?

6. What is a vivandiere? Why are they sent to the camps?

7. What does Henri do to the cook that impresses Bonaparte? Where did he get the idea?

8. What job does Henri originally want? Who prevents him from getting it?

9. Where does Villanelle work? How does she dress there? Why does she dress this way?

10. What does Bonaparte do to Henri to show his approval when he hears about Henri and the cook? What does he say about Henri's idea?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In The Passion, a key figure is the Queen of Spades. Write an essay on the role of the Queen in the novel, paying special attention to her impact on both Villanelle and Henri in turn. Be sure to use at least 3 examples in your argument.

Essay Topic 2

War is the main conflict in the novel, and it brings the two narrators together. What purpose does the war serve in the novel? Write an essay about war in The Passion and its effect on at least 3 characters.

Essay Topic 3

In The Passion, religion plays an important part of the lives of many of the characters. Also, Winterson uses religious terminology and diction often in the novel. Write an essay on the influence of religion on the characters of the novel and the novel itself. What does religion bring to The Passion?

(see the answer keys)

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