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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. How is Mr. Kloterjahn described?

2. Why does Mr. Spinell say that he is really at Einfried?

3. What is the writer’s name?

4. Where is Mrs. Kloterjahn from?

5. What was Einfried before it became a sanitarium?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mr. Spinell act towards Gabriele Kloterjahn?

2. Why has one of the other patients nicknamed Mr. Spinell the “Rotten Infant”?

3. What does the vein do to Gabriele Kloterjahn’s countenance?

4. What seems to be Dr. Leander’s opinion of Mr. Spinell?

5. Why does Mr. Spinell look at beautiful women out of the corner of his eye?

6. Why are specific cases in particular Dr. Muller’s responsibility?

7. When is Mr. Spinell sociable?

8. What does Mr. Spinell spend most of his time doing?

9. Why is Miss van Osterloh said to feel reproachful towards men?

10. How is it obvious that Mrs. Kloterjahn is devoted to Mr. Kloterjahn?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novella takes its title from the legend of Tristan and Isolde, although the legend is never mentioned by name in the text. How does the legend relate to the novella? Does it work as a metaphor? Why or why not? Why might Mann have chosen a title that stems from this legend?

Essay Topic 2

Mr. Spinell believes himself to be in love with Gabriele. What does this say about his character? What does this say about their relationship? Do we, as readers, believe that he truly loves and understands Gabriele? Why or why not? Does she feel the same way about him?

Essay Topic 3

Wagner’s opera Tristan und Isolde plays an important role in the novella, as does music in general.Why did Mann choose this particular musical piece for the climactic scene in the novella? What does it add to the story? How do the piece, and the climactic scene in general, shape Mr. Spinell’s relationship with Gabriele Kloterjahn? Why is music so important in the novella?

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This section contains 545 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample