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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 Mrs. Kloterjahn's treatment faring by Chapter 7?

2. Why did Gabriele’s father eventually let her marry Mr. Kloterjahn?

3. How does Mr. Spinell refer to Mr. Kloterjahn and his infant son?

4. What is Mr. Spinell humming as he walks in Chapter 12?

5. What does Mr. Spinell say he can picture on Gabriele’s head?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mr. Kloterjahn finally admit was the causes of Gabriele’s illness?

2. How is the letter that Mr. Spinell writes in Chapter 10 described?

3. Why does Mr. Kloterjahn call Mr. Spinell a coward?

4. Who, according to Mr. Spinell, is to be credited with bringing beauty back into Gabriele’s life?

5. How does Mr. Spinell ultimately convince Mrs. Kloterjahn to play piano?

6. What eventually convinced Gabriele’s father to let her marry Mr. Kloterjahn?

7. How does Mr. Spinell describe the scene within his letter in Chapter 10?

8. Why does Mr. Spinell find the scene of Gabriele and her friends in the garden so beautiful?

9. What does Dr. Leander recommend as treatment for Gabriele’s worsening condition?

10. What has caused Gabriele’s condition to worsen in Chapter 9?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Mr. Spinell’s character and how he embodies the major themes in Tristan. How does Mann characterize Mr. Spinell? What commentary does Mann seem to be making about artists through the character of Mr. Spinell? What commentary does he seem to be making about society in general?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

The novella ends with a conflict between Mr. Kloterjahn and Mr. Spinell. How does this come about? What issues do the two men have with each other? Compare and contrast their characters and the endings that the novella provides for each man.

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