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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 Johannes feel he should simply enjoy?

2. Why does Johannes wish to stay distant from Cordelia?

3. Johannes finds the ethical nature of what boring?

4. Johannes has floated a rumor that he is in love with whom?

5. Why does Johannes want Edward to leave?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens on the third, regarding Johannes' proposal?

2. Why is it important to Johannes that it is autumn?

3. Describe Johannes' final entry on September 25th.

4. How does Johannes' relationship with Cordelia take a dramatic change in course?

5. What does Johannes say about visiting the park?

6. How does Johannes feel Cordelia feels about him? Why?

7. What does Cordelia wish for by the end of this section? What does Johannes think of this?

8. What does Johannes ask Cordelia to do in the letter her writes?

9. What his happening to Cordelia by the end of this section?

10. What happens when Cordelia's aunt and Edward are away?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Johannes proposes to Cordelia.

Part 1) Describe the proposal. Why does he propose to her? How does she react? Why does she react this way?

Part 2) How is the proposal part of Johannes' seduction plan? What is the purpose of the seduction? Do you see this engagement leading to a marriage? Why or why not?

Part 3) Compare most engaged couples today to this engaged couple. What do they have in common? What are the differences? What might be the reasons for these differences?

Essay Topic 2

Johannes says Cordelia has lost her "fragrance.'

Part 1) What does he mean by this? How does he come to this belief? Was this part of his original seduction plan? Why or why not?

Part 2) What does this reveal about him? How does it affect Cordelia? How does this affect the reader?

Part 3) How can the reader relate to both Cordelia and Johannes at the end of the book?

Essay Topic 3

In May, Johannes curses chance.

Part 1) Why does he curse chance? How does chance come back into his favor? How does Johannes' knowledge of Cordelia grow throughout the month of May? How does this knowledge affect him?

Part 2) What other strokes of luck does Johannes have throughout the rest of the book? What does he do with this luck? Would you consider Cordelia lucky as well? If so, why? If not, why not?

Part 3) Do you believe in luck or chance? If so, why? If not, why not?

(see the answer keys)

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