- 1. The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis, a novel by the Portuguese Nobel laureate José Saramago, intricately weaves the life and thoughts of the fictional character Ricardo Reis, a modernist poet and one of the heteronyms of Fernando Pessoa, against the backdrop of Portugal during the turbulent year of 1936, a time marked by profound political and social change. In this narrative, Reis returns to Lisbon from Brazil after an extended absence, only to grapple with the loss and disillusionment that accompany the rise of authoritarianism and the shadow of the Spanish Civil War. As Saramago masterfully juxtaposes historical events with the introspective musings of Reis, the text delves into themes of mortality, existence, and the profound search for meaning within the chaos of the human experience. Saramago's characteristic use of long, flowing sentences and a unique narrative style invites readers to ponder the philosophical implications of Reis's encounters with the ghosts of both the past and the future, as well as his relationships with other characters who represent a spectrum of responses to the socio-political realities of their time. Ultimately, the novel is an exploration of identity, art, and the relentless passage of time, wrapped in the rich tapestry of Saramago's erudite prose.
What is the primary theme of 'The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis'?
A) The role of family
B) The conflict between reality and illusion
C) The power of friendship
D) The importance of technology
- 2. Which poet does the main character, Ricardo Reis, admire?
A) E.E. Cummings
B) Fernando Pessoa
C) T.S. Eliot
D) W.B. Yeats
- 3. Which city serves as the backdrop for the novel?
A) Madrid
B) Porto
C) Lisbon
D) Rome
- 4. Who is the author of 'The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis'?
A) Milan Kundera
B) Jorge Luis Borges
C) Gabriel García Márquez
D) José Saramago
- 5. What does the figure of Fernando Pessoa represent in the novel?
A) Multiplicity of self
B) Literary failure
C) Political authority
D) Historical accuracy
- 6. Where does Ricardo Reis return from at the start of the novel?
A) Brazil
B) France
C) Italy
D) Spain
- 7. What kind of character is Ricardo Reis often depicted as?
A) A passionate activist
B) A loving father
C) A detached observer
D) A political leader
- 8. What approach does the author take towards historical events in the novel?
A) Strictly adhering to factual details
B) Ignoring historical context
C) Focusing on modern events
D) Interweaving fiction with history
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