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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 Gaucho offer the two men to help them succeed in their plan?

2. Why does Profane leave Angel and the rest of the crew?

3. What is the name of the dentist who treats Stencil?

4. Who is Fina?

5. Who is the world adventurer looking for?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Benny goes to the ferry and meets Paola?

2. What does Hugo Bongo-Shaftsbury talk to Mildred about on the train in Egypt?

3. Describe Victoria in Chapter 7.

4. Why is Gaucho arrested?

5. Describe Lepsius.

6. Why does Stencil go to the dentist and what does he discover?

7. How did Stencil get wounded in Chapter 5?

8. How does Dr. Schoenmaker view Esther in Chapter 4?

9. What is Herbert Stencil's purpose?

10. What does the reader learn about V. in Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the significance of the novel's title. Why do you think the author named the book V.? Now that you have read the book, how does that alter your understanding of the title? Are you intrigued to find a sequel? Why or why not? Cite examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Politics are also referred to in the book. Pynchon refers to the politics in the German colonization of Africa in 1922. In V., the author devotes an entire chapter to this. Do you think this political story is a vital part of the book? Why or why not? Explain. How else could Pynchon incorporate politics into the book? Also examine the use of politics in relationships.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of women in Virginia in the1950s when the women in the stories are living their lives. What precedents do they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions do they have? What freedoms did they have that 21st century women may not have?

(see the answer keys)

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