- 1. "Baltasar and Blimunda" is a remarkable novel by Portuguese author José Saramago that intricately weaves themes of love, hope, and the struggle for freedom against the backdrop of 18th century Portugal. The story centers around Baltasar, a courageous and skilled carpenter who has lost his left hand in the war, and Blimunda, a woman endowed with the supernatural ability to see into people's souls. Their lives intertwine as they navigate the oppressive socio-political environment of the Inquisition, marked by religious tyranny and the quest for enlightenment. The novel follows their journey as they fall in love amidst societal restrictions, while also supporting the grand endeavor of constructing a flying machine for the famous architect Rodrigo de Montalvo. Saramago's prose is rich and lyrical, filled with philosophical reflections on existence, spirituality, and the pursuit of the unattainable, challenging readers to consider the intersection of faith and reason in a world defined by its contradictions. The narrative captures the essence of the human spirit's resilience, showcasing the power of love and the dream of flight as symbols of liberation, making it a profound exploration of the human condition and the socio-cultural landscape of its time.
Who is the author of 'Baltasar and Blimunda'?
A) Chinua Achebe
B) Milan Kundera
C) Gabriel Garcia Marquez
D) José Saramago
- 2. What is the main occupation of Baltasar?
A) Farmer
B) Carpenter
C) Soldier
D) Merchant
- 3. What is the name of the visionary monk in the story?
A) Domingos Bartolomeu de Gusmão
B) Brother Jorge
C) Dom Pedro
D) Fray Antonio
- 4. How does the relationship between Baltasar and Blimunda develop?
A) Through rivalry and competition
B) Through family ties only
C) Through mutual love and struggles
D) Through deceit and betrayal
- 5. What role does the Inquisition play in the story?
A) It is a source of protection
B) It promotes creativity
C) It has no role
D) It represents oppressive power and control
- 6. How are the themes of love and death depicted in the novel?
A) They are only hinted at
B) They conflict with each other
C) They are intertwined and explored deeply
D) They are dismissed and unimportant
- 7. How does Saramago approach the concept of free will?
A) As a guaranteed right
B) As an absolute truth
C) As a trivial matter
D) As a complex and often constrained idea
- 8. In what way does magic realism feature in the novel?
A) It blends magical elements with reality
B) It strictly adheres to realism
C) It avoids supernatural themes
D) It uses only fantastical elements
- 9. What does Baltasar lose in the war?
A) His hand
B) His mind
C) His home
D) His brother
- 10. What societal issue is reflected in the characters' struggles?
A) Environmental degradation
B) Religious persecution
C) Economic inequality
D) Political corruption
- 11. What does the narrator in the novel often do?
A) Remain detached
B) Tell a linear story
C) Address the reader directly
D) Use only dialogue
- 12. What signifies Blimunda's connection to the spiritual?
A) Her skills in labor.
B) Her wealth.
C) Her education.
D) Her ability to see souls.
- 13. What narrative style does Saramago use in the novel?
A) Third-person omniscient
B) First-person narrative
C) Epistolary form
D) Stream of consciousness
- 14. Why does Blimunda decide to help Bartolomeu?
A) Out of love and a sense of purpose
B) To avoid punishment
C) To gain fame and riches
D) To fulfill a debt
- 15. What kind of society is portrayed in 'Baltasar and Blimunda'?
A) Democratic and equal
B) Anarchic and chaotic
C) Utopian and free
D) Hierarchical and oppressive
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