Ellen Foster Short Essay Assignments

Short Essay Questions

The 60 short essay questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text. Students must describe what they've read, rather than just recall it.

Short Essay Question - Chapter 1

1. In Chapter 1, Ellen contemplates killing someone. How does Ellen plan to kill this person and respond to the death if she actually goes through with it?

2. Why does Ellen feel that she is better off being a ward of the county rather than being in the custody of her father?

3. How is Ellen's former life and her new life an example of dualism?

4. How does the author create a reversal of the mother-daughter role in the novel?

Short Essay Question - Chapter 2