Multiple Choice
What is the setting of I Must Betray You?
A) Soviet Russia, 1965
B) Romania, 1989
C) Poland, 1980
D) East Germany, 1991
Cristian’s greatest act of rebellion is refusing to spy for the Securitate.
False – While refusing to spy would have been an act of defiance, his true rebellion lies in his decision to write the truth, spread information, and take risks to expose the regime’s oppression. Even while being forced to inform, he resists in subtle ways, which ultimately contributes to the larger movement of change.
The Securitate’s files on people were destroyed after Ceaușescu’s fall.
False – Many files were kept, and some were made public, revealing betrayals and government surveillance tactics.
What was the role of the Securitate in Romanian society?
The Securitate was the secret police that maintained control through fear, surveillance, and forcing citizens to spy on each other.
“The walls had ears.”
Personification
What does Cristian dream of becoming?
A) A doctor
B) A poet
C) A painter
D) A journalist
Fear is the most effective tool of the communist regime in Romania, more than physical oppression.
True – While physical oppression (such as arrests and executions) is present, the novel emphasizes how fear—of being watched, of betrayal, of punishment—controls people’s actions, relationships, and thoughts. This fear prevents rebellion for years and makes even close family members suspicious of one another.
Cristian’s teacher, Professor Georgescu, openly criticizes the government in class.
False – Teachers must be extremely careful about what they say, as students are often encouraged to report any disloyalty.
What symbolic item does Cristian use to express his resistance?
His notebook, where he secretly writes his thoughts and feelings against the government.
“Fear is a key that fits many locks.”
Metaphor
What does the broken lightbulb in Cristian’s apartment symbolize?
A) The collapse of communist power
B) The constant surveillance and control of the government
C) Cristian’s family’s inability to escape poverty
D) The hope that one day, Romania will be free
Cristian’s personal struggles are separate from the larger political struggles in Romania.
False – His personal experiences with oppression, secrecy, and fear mirror the larger struggles of the country. His own battle with forced betrayal, misinformation, and the desire for freedom is symbolic of Romania’s fight against its dictator and the communist regime.
Cristian’s spying ultimately leads to his family's escape from Romania.
False – While his spying puts them in danger, the revolution is what brings change, not any deal with the Securitate.
Why does Cristian struggle with guilt throughout the novel?
He is forced into betraying people he cares about, making him feel complicit in the system he despises. This internal conflict drives much of his character development and fuels his decision to resist.
“The weight of secrets was crushing me.”
Hyperbole
Throughout the novel, Cristian grapples with the idea of trust. What does the novel suggest about trust under Communist rule?
A) Trust is impossible because everyone is forced to betray one another to survive.
B) Trust is dangerous, but it is also necessary for resistance and eventual revolution.
C) Only family members can be trusted, as the government cannot turn them against each other.
D) Trust in leadership is the key to survival, as those who obey the government are safest.
The betrayals in the novel prove that people are inherently selfish and will always prioritize survival over others.
False – The novel shows that while fear forces many to betray others, some still choose to resist, even at great personal risk. Cristian, his grandfather, and other revolutionaries prove that people can fight for something greater than themselves, even in the face of danger.
The Romanian government controlled nearly every aspect of daily life, including food, electricity, and information.
True – The Ceaușescu regime tightly controlled the economy and resources, leading to widespread shortages of food, electricity, medicine, and basic goods. Citizens were forced to ration everything, and even listening to foreign radio stations or possessing certain books could be dangerous.
Why is Cristian’s grandfather, Bunu, an important figure in his life
Bunu represents wisdom, resilience, and a connection to Romania’s past before communist rule.
“The hunger sat inside me like a wolf, gnawing at my insides.”
What does it mean?
Simile
This simile compares hunger to a wolf, emphasizing how deeply starvation affects Cristian and other Romanians under Ceaușescu’s rule.
Cristian often reflects on the power of words and truth. What is the significance of his writing throughout the novel?
A) It is a personal rebellion against the regime, allowing him to document the truth in a world filled with lies.
B) It is a form of artistic expression that helps him cope with the emotional toll of living under communism.
C) His writing is a trap set by the Securitate to test his loyalty and find others who might be disloyal.
D) His notebook is merely a diary with no real impact on the larger events of the revolution.
In I Must Betray You, even those closest to Cristian are not always trustworthy due to the fear-driven society they live in.
True – The novel demonstrates how the Romanian government’s surveillance and forced betrayals create an environment where no one can fully trust even their own family and friends. People are pressured to inform on one another, leading to paranoia, secrecy, and broken relationships.
Cristian’s internal conflict between survival and integrity is one of the central struggles of the novel.
True – Cristian is constantly torn between protecting himself and his family versus staying true to his values. His forced role as an informant makes him question his morality, but his resistance through writing and spreading the truth shows his ultimate decision to stand against oppression.
In what ways does propaganda shape the way people view their own government?
The regime controls all media, education, and information, making people believe they are better off than they truly are. Even when they suffer, many still trust the government’s lies.
The regime had built a cage around us. We could see through the bars, but we couldn’t escape."
What does it mean?
Metaphor
"The regime had built a cage around us. We could see through the bars, but we couldn’t escape."
🔍 Figurative Language Type: Metaphor
💡 Explanation: This metaphor compares life under Ceaușescu’s dictatorship to being trapped in a cage. It emphasizes how Romanians could see glimpses of freedom (through radio, rumors, and outsiders) but were physically and mentally imprisoned by the government’s control. It reflects the oppression and hopelessness felt by the characters.