"Nemesis" Quiz
"Nemesis" by Philip Roth tells the story of a Newark playground director whose life is upended by a devastating polio epidemic during the summer of 1944.
fiction | 104 pages | Published in 2013
Play the quiz
Test your knowledge about the book "Nemesis". We have come up with 10 quiz questions for the book. Hit play and start testing your knowledge. Each correctly answered question gives one point.
10 questions available
Essay questions
These essay questions are meant to be used as a starting point for your essay or research paper.
- Discuss the role of fate and personal responsibility in Philip Roth's 'Nemesis.' How does Bucky Cantor grapple with these concepts throughout the novel?
- Analyze the significance of polio as both a literal and metaphorical force in 'Nemesis.' What does the epidemic reveal about the community and its values?
- Examine the theme of guilt in 'Nemesis.' How does Bucky's sense of guilt shape his actions and relationships?
- How does Roth use the setting of Newark in 1944 to enhance the novel’s themes? Consider social, cultural, and historical factors.
- Evaluate the character development of Bucky Cantor. In what ways does he change over the course of the novel, and what triggers these changes?
- Discuss the depiction of heroism in 'Nemesis.' How does Bucky’s idea of heroism differ from those around him?
- How does Roth explore the impact of fear—both rational and irrational—on individuals and communities in 'Nemesis'?
- Consider the role of secondary characters, such as Marcia Steinberg and Dr. Steinberg, in shaping Bucky’s worldview. What is their influence on him?
- Analyze the narrative structure of 'Nemesis.' How does the use of a retrospective narrator affect the reader’s understanding of the events?
- How does 'Nemesis' address issues of masculinity, strength, and perceived weakness?
- In what ways is the concept of 'nemesis' embodied in the novel? Consider both literal and symbolic interpretations.
- Discuss how Roth portrays the intersection of individual suffering and collective tragedy in 'Nemesis.'
- How do themes of love and sacrifice play out in the relationship between Bucky and Marcia?
- What role does religion and faith play in the characters’ responses to the epidemic in 'Nemesis'?
