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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 do the nuns show Margot?

2. What do Margot and the abbess discuss concerning nuns?

3. What does Margot think she and the sisters will need in the library?

4. What do Margot and the person who introduces herself to Margot discuss?

5. From whose point of view is the first part of Chapter 4 written?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Margot discover about the book that the Abbess gives into Margot's care?

2. Describe Margot's discussion of the library with Madre Badessa.

3. What is the significance of the cassette tapes when Margot's mother is dying?

4. What do Margot and Madre Badessa discuss concerning the nuns' vows?

5. Why are two of the postulants in trouble?

6. What are Margot's options for a room when she gets off the train in Florence?

7. What does Margot discover about the way the nuns work and how does Margot react?

8. How does Margot first offend two American travelers on the train and then bond with them?

9. How does the situation about the cassette tapes affect Margot's life even years later?

10. What is the significance of Harvard University to Margot?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Margot learns about the inner workings of the convent and its vast land holdings as well as the politics of the church. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss the idea of a church holding great wealth. Do you think a church should have a great deal of wealth, or should it be spending everything to help people to have better lives? Why would a church hold on to its wealth rather than distributing it?

2. Discuss the paradox of the words, "In God We Trust" appearing on paper currency in the United States.

3. The Bishop, who has taken a vow of poverty, is quite concerned with controlling the assets of the convent. Who do you think should control the convent's assets? Do you think the Bishop has the convent's best interests at heart? Why or why not.

4.

Essay Topic 2

Setting as far as place and time play an important role in The Sixteen Pleasures. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast several aspects of the setting of that time (1966s) from how it would be today. Consider things such as cultural norms/expectations, technology, religion and medicine.

2. Do you think The Sixteen Pleasures would be different if it were set in the United States? Consider the cultural differences as you discuss the way the story would change is set in the United States.

3. Discuss some of the differences between the United States and Italy of the late 1960s, as far as the relationship between men and women and gender expectations. What are some similarities? (This essay topic will require some research).

Essay Topic 3

Titles can often say much about a story. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think there is something ironic about the title The Sixteen Pleasures? Why or why not. Discuss fully.

2. What do you think are the Sixteen Pleasures? How do the sixteen pleasures relate to three of the main characters? Two of the minor characters?

3. Thoroughly discuss whether you think the title of the book is the best one possible and why. Why do you think the book is titled The Sixteen Pleasures? Would you be interested in reading this book if you saw it on the library shelf?

4. Discuss the title of the book in relation to the theme of religion. How are the two connected? Do you think religion as it is represented in The Sixteen Pleasures is contrary to the idea of pleasure? Who among the religious orders do you think would believe pleasure is a positive thing to seek? Who do you think would believe one should deny themselves pleasure? Discuss thoroughly with examples.

(see the answer keys)

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