Daughters of the House Test | Mid-Book Test - Hard

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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. Where will Thérèse sleep?

2. Why does Madeleine defend Léonie's action of going down to the cellar?

3. Upon what four things in the catechism does Thérèse concentrate?

4. What does Thérèse notice as the only things that have changed?

5. Who is staring angrily at Thérèse as the front door opens?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the two bakeries mentioned in "The Bread Basket" represent the same situation as that of Léonie and Thérèse?

2. How does Léonie symbolically enter the adult world in the chapter titled "The Ironing Board"?

3. Describe the vision experience that Thérèse has in this chapter.

4. What do you think is the significance of Thérèse's threat of "the silent treatment" to Léonie?

5. To what do you think Léonie's fears are related in the chapter "The Nightlight"?

6. How does Antoinette's wasted and emaciated body trigger feelings within Thérèse of her own body image as evidenced in the chapter "The Pillows"?

7. In the chapter, "The Quimper Dish, what do you think is the reason behind Thérèse's sudden "illness"?

8. In "The Cake Tin," what can be implied about Victorine's attitudes towards Jews?

9. Do you think either woman is more innocent in the way they interact here in the chapter titled "The Cigarette?"

10. Describe the first few minutes of Thérèse and Léonie's time together as described in "The Chandelier."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter 6, Thérèse and Léonie have a meal together. Léonie takes special care in setting the table and choosing the menu. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Follow the thread of food and eating that occurs throughout the novel, giving examples of that theme and an interpretation of the examples you choose.

2. Food is essential to the continuation of life, and thus is often offered symbolically as well as concretely in many cultures. Compare and contrast the symbolism of food in several diverse cultures.

3. Discuss how food is treated in advertisements in the country in which you live, including billboard advertisements, magazines, t.v., and radio. What is the main purpose of the advertisements? Are they successful? Do they sway you?

Essay Topic 2

The keeping of secrets is a recurring theme in this novel. Both Thérèse and Léonie withhold secrets from each other as girls; the adults withhold secrets from the children; the house holds secrets from the past, and Antoinette holds some secrets from both the adults and the children. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Discuss the secrets Thérèse and Léonie hold from each other and why you think they do this. Give specific details and examples from the book.

2. Discuss the secrets the adults withhold from the children. Why do they do this? Is it wise to do so? Do adults in general tend to keep too much from children? Why or why not.

3. Discuss Antoinette's secrets and what you think they are and why you think she keeps them secrets. Is that healthy? She is the only one to get ill and die in the novel--could there be a correlation between her secrets eating away inside her and her getting cancer?

Essay Topic 3

There are many statements throughout this novel about church, Jesus, Christianity, and in particular, Mary, the mother of Jesus. Additionally, reference is made about Jews, though the Jewish religion is not mentioned too much. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Take three characters and trace their references to religion throughout the novel. Evaluate how strongly each character feels about his/her spiritual life and what each believes. Be sure to cite specific examples to support your statements.

2. Compare and contrast the way the main characters and the village people view Christianity versus Judaism and Christians versus Jews. Be sure to cite specific examples to support your statements.

3. Is this novel about religion and spirituality? If references to religious ideas and beliefs were removed, how substantially would the novel be impacted? Discuss using specific examples.

(see the answer keys)

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