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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Doc realizes that Marie's ______________ is lost.

2. What had Lola suspected Mrs. Coffman of doing at one time?

3. Who leaves the house after Mrs. Coffman leaves?

4. What is Marie expecting from Bruce?

5. Marie makes fun of Lola's ______________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the setting and who are the characters which open the play?

2. What questions does Lola bombard Doc with about their life together and what is Doc's reply?

3. What does Lola reveal about her history with Doc?

4. What happens that makes Doc see the light about Marie?

5. Who is Mrs. Coffman and what is her relationship with Lola?

6. Explain the symbolism of the fading lilacs and Lola's fading youth.

7. What metaphor does Lola use when she thinks about how the days of her youth have vanished?

8. What is the significance of Marie's sudden departure from Doc and Lola's life?

9. Why does the group decide not to go to the hotel for dinner?

10. How does Marie hurt Lola after Doc just gets her calmed down?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Mrs. Coffman. What is her relationship with Lola and Doc? What is her role in the story? What was the author trying to accomplish by creating Mrs. Coffman's character in the play?

Essay Topic 2

Explain Inge's use of humor in the play. Cite examples of at least two different instances of humor and explain why the author used them where he did.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the taboo of pre-marital sex in the 1950s. Compare and contrast pre-marital sex in America during the 1950s to pre-marital sex in America today. What major changes have occurred, both positive and negative?

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