A.KLEIST "Earthquake in Chile" 51-67] Study Questions.

1. p.17] What occasioned Kleist's writing this story?

2. p. 51] Kleist is a dramatist. How many dramatic events are referred to in the first paragraph?

3. 51] paragr. #2: What is the woman's drama?

4. 51]-57] Find parallels to items on the 10 P.M. news.

5. 52-55] Jeronimo's escape is a serious matter, but could be shown as an animated cartoon. What might that look like?

6. 55] Kleist is known for quick turns of fate. Which ones occur here?

7. 56] How does Josefa escape? Who didn't make it?

8. 57] What seems to be the role of nature here? --up to now?

9. 57]f What's their new plan? Is is a good one?

10. 58-59] -- Are people good or bad, in general?

11. 60-61] How is society different here from the beginning?

12. 61] Why do they decide to change their plans?

13. 61-62] Where is the group going? Who is opposed to the idea?

14. 62-63] Look for clues to pending drama in this church service.

15. 64-66] How does the mob behave? Who dies?

16. 67] After the bloodbath, order is restored. What is the order?

17. The story is divided into three parts. What are they?

B. AThe Marquise of O--@

1. 68-69] Kleist uses a flashback, and no frame, packing much info. into the story=s opening. How many changes of fortune are reported for the M. of O...?

2. 70-71] Both father and daughter wish to thank an enemy. Why?

3. 72-74] Again--changes in fortune/condition. Find several. What kind of impression does Count F. give?

4. 75-77] Why are relations x Count and Commandant=s family strained?

5. 81] & before: How are women=s roles different from those of our age? ...men=s? Should she marry the count?

6. 83] & before: What are the features of this unusual courtship?

7. 83-87] Why is the mid-wife called? Is she more sympathetic?

8. 88-91] How do M=s parents react to the news? (Why that way, do you suppose?...)

9. 91] & before: Evidence that Kleist was also a playwright?

10. 91-94] Is the Count=s behavior more logical now?

11. 95-96] & before: Find a motif here:_________

12. 97] & before: How does Kleist depict authority figures?

13. 98-102] Find examples of the dramatic impact of incorrect information.

14. 101-106] What causes mother and daughter to become reconciled?

15. 106-107] What kind of man does the heroine=s father seem to be?

16. 107] & before--How might this 11 O=clock meeting, and the events surrounding it, be seen as a comic situation?

17. 112-113] Is this ending satisfying? Surprising?

18. General--Find //=s to the recent White House dramas:

19. Gen. --How might a 1990s version of

AThe Foundling@ --- 270-286]

1. General--Kleist is known for his heavy use of irony. Look for examples.

2. Gen.--Find //=s to AEarthquake.@

3. Gen.--There=s something wrong with each family mentioned. What traits do familes have in common?

4. Gen.--Some readers say this is several stories strung together. What would they be? What unifies the story into one whole?

5. Beginning--After 1st page, what are some possible directions for this plot?

6. 270-272] Why do you think the couple have children?

7. 272] What does the role of the clergy indicate about the story=s view of civilisation?

8. 273-274] & gen--How has Elvira=s brush with death affected her?

9. 276]& gen-- What are the possible fates of Kleist=s women characters?

10. 279] & gen--What role is played by the age difference x Elvira and Piachi?

11. 280-281] In German lit., there is often a discrepancy between appearance and reality, and a conflict between reason and emotion. Apply to this passage.

What is a typical Kleist ending, judging by stories you=ve read.

12. 283] In what sense is Nicolo Asupernatural@?

13. 286] How is the ending different from the first two Kleist stories?

E. AThe Beggarwoman from Locarno@ ---214-216]

1. 214] How many events are reported on the 1st page? Is it like AMarquise of O.@ in that respect?

2. 214] Why does the Marquis treat the woman badly?

3. 214]f What=s the role of the Ahaunted house@?

4. 215]f What are the stages in the escalation?

4. 216] Is the ending appropriate? ...like which of the previous stories?

ASt. Cecilia or the Power of Music@ 217-230]

1. 217] Why were images destroyed during the Reformation in Europe?

2. 217]f //=s with AEarthquake@? _______________ ...& strong contrasts?_____________

3. 218-219] Whose side does the narrator seem to be on?

4. gen. What is the meaning of the story=s title?

5. 220] What seems to be the mother=s point of view regarding her sons= past sins?...& present state?

6. 221-223] Are there positive aspects to the sons= lives in the asylum?

7. 226] In Kleist, good and evil are often depicted as being strikingly similar. Example of that:___

8. 228-230] & gen.--Can one speak of the Apower@ of music in that time? ...& today?

9. Gen--Is there a gender issue broached in this short legend?

AThe Duel@