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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 Rav Kalman ask during Reuven's oral exams?

2. Where does Michael go when Reuven goes in the house?

3. What is one consequence of the orthodox reaction to Rav Kalman's article?

4. What does Reuven feel towards Kalman?

5. What does Danny give Michael?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the essential argument of the second part of Rav Kalman's article attacking David Malter's book?

2. What small breakthrough happens with Michael, and what does his mother want?

3. Describe Abe Greenfield and his problem at opening of Chapter 8.

4. What is the difference in scholarly approaches between Kalman and Reuven's father.

5. What does Danny give Michael and what does Michael say about it to Reuven?

6. What does Danny tell Reuven and what is Reuven's reaction?

7. What does Danny's father want to learn and what is his reaction when Reuven tells him?

8. What does Reuven argue at his smicha exam and why is that upsetting to Kalman and Gershenson?

9. What does Danny think about isolation and what does Danny want Reuven to do?

10. What do Danny, Rachel, Reuven and Eileen go to see and what is their response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter 3, the narrator relates that Rav Kalman is a survivor of a Nazi concentration camp. Discuss the following:

1. Research and write a brief informative essay on the Nazi concentration camps of WWII. Why were they established? Who was sent to them? How many died there? How many survived? Offer your own thoughts about the concentration camps.

2. What sort of emotional and psychological damage do you think Rav Kalman could be suffering from as a result of having lived through the experience of a concentration camp?

3. Why do you think Rav Kalman came out of the camp with a still-firm faith in his God?

4. Do you think the concentration camp experience caused very many survivors to abandon their faith in God?

Essay Topic 2

The Promise, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy (or at least optimistic) note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of The Promise and whether or not The Promise fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Promise is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of change. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with change? Why? What are some symbols of change? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of mental/emotional illness. Which characters struggle with some sort of emotional illness? Why? Which characters seem really healthy emotionally/mentally? Why? How is Michael Gordon's emotional problems a metaphor for the changes taking place in the realm of Jewish theology?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of tradition. What is Reuven's view of tradition? Kalman's? Michael Gordon's? Professor Gordon's? Why is tradition important to some characters? Is anyone willing to abandon traditional viewpoints? Who? What are the positive and negative sides to tradition?

(see the answer keys)

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