Read the following excerpt from the story: "Her face over the sailor blouse suddenly seemed blurred. It was getting darker now... could he have been mistaken? Surely not. It was Norma."
What does this passage reveal about the protagonist?
A. He has poor eyesight and cannot see clearly in the dark
B. He momentarily recognizes his delusion before rejecting reality
C. He is uncertain about the woman's identity, but proceeds anyway
D. He intentionally confuses strangers with Norma to justify violence
B. He momentarily recognizes his delusion before rejecting reality
How does the author develop the contrast between the setting and the protagonist's true nature?
A. By using cheerful weather descriptions that clash with the protagonist's violent intentions
B. By showing the protagonist's friendly interactions with others while hiding his dark purpose
C. By describing a beautiful spring evening while gradually revealing the protagonist's disturbing reality
D. By portraying the city as dangerous while the protagonist appears harmless
C. By describing a beautiful spring evening while gradually revealing the protagonist's disturbing reality
A character who recounts events in a way that is false, misleading, or otherwise untrustworthy.
Unreliable Narrator
The author's description of the young man's appearance and behavior at the beginning of the story serves to —
A. mislead the reader about the character's true nature
B. establish the character as an unreliable narrator
C. suggest that appearances can be deceiving
D. provide background information about the character's past
C. suggest that appearances can be deceiving
Read the following excerpt from the story: "The air was soft and beautiful, the sky was darkening by slow degrees from blue to the calm and lovely violet of dusk. There are people who love the city, and this was one of the nights that made them love it." What is the primary purpose of this description?
A. To establish the location where the story takes place
B. To create ironic contrast with the violent events that follow
C. To suggest that cities are generally peaceful places
D. To indicate that the protagonist appreciates natural beauty
B. To create ironic contrast with the violent events that follow
A literary technique, originally used in Greek tragedy, by which the full significance of a character's words or actions are clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character.
Dramatic Irony
Which of the following best describes the structure of the story?
A. A chronological narrative that follows the protagonist through one evening
B. A series of flashbacks revealing the protagonist's history of violence
C. A dual narrative alternating between the protagonist and his victims
D. A frame story with the flower vendor as the primary narrator
A. A chronological narrative that follows the protagonist through one evening
Which sentence from the story best reveals the protagonist's psychological state?
A. "He walked on, carrying the flowers, unaware that the two women outside the washateria had stopped talking for a moment and had watched him wistfully as he walked by with his paper of tea roses."
B. "For a moment his face seemed puzzled, lonely, almost haunted, and then, as his hand left the pocket, it regained its former expression of eager expectation."
C. "Now his smile shone out - radiated out, and he walked faster."
D. "He held out a five dollar bill. 'Thank you.'"
B. "For a moment his face seemed puzzled, lonely, almost haunted, and then, as his hand left the pocket, it regained its former expression of eager expectation."
An indication of something that will happen in the future, often used as a literary device to hint at or allude to future plot developments.
Foreshadowing
Read the following excerpt from the story: "His name was love, and he walked these dark streets because Norma was waiting for him. And he would find her. Some day soon." What is the author's purpose in ending the story with this passage?
A. To suggest that the protagonist will eventually find redemption
B. To emphasize the cyclical nature of the protagonist's delusion and violence
C. To leave the reader uncertain about whether Norma actually exists
D. To imply that the protagonist will be caught by authorities soon
B. To emphasize the cyclical nature of the protagonist's delusion and violence
What literary device does the author primarily use to build suspense throughout the story?
A. Foreshadowing through radio news reports and subtle character descriptions
B. Flashbacks revealing the protagonist's troubled past
C. Stream of consciousness narration from multiple perspectives
D. Detailed descriptions of the urban landscape
A. Foreshadowing through radio news reports and subtle character descriptions
A struggle within a character's mind, often involving a moral, emotional, or psychological battle with themselves
Internal Conflict
Which statement best expresses a theme in "The Man Who Loved Flowers"?
A. Love can transform ordinary experiences into extraordinary ones
B. Urban environments foster isolation and mental illness
C. Appearances can mask disturbing realities beneath the surface
D. The past inevitably shapes one's present actions and decisions
C. Appearances can mask disturbing realities beneath the surface
Based on the story, what can the reader infer about the protagonist's relationship with reality?
A. He is aware of his crimes but feels justified in committing them
B. He lives in a delusional state where he believes Norma is still alive
C. He intentionally targets women who remind him of Norma
D. He experiences temporary lapses in memory during violent episodes
B. He lives in a delusional state where he believes Norma is still alive
A struggle between a character and an outside force, such as another person, society, nature, or the supernatural
a struggle between a character and an outside force, such as another person, society, nature, or the supernatural