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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. What do the unreliables say about Aunt Frances?

2. After her mother is gone, what does Alice say is a reason that she should still be around?

3. What does Arthur say that Mother gave him?

4. What does Walter do while listening to music?

5. What is true about Nonna?

Short Essay Questions

1. Does Alice relate to the unreliables?

2. Describe the Big House.

3. What is Walter like?

4. Why does Alice call the San Mother's Florida?

5. Does Uncle Billy love Alice?

6. Does Alice want to be like her mother?

7. Why do Aunt Frances and Arlette take charge of unpacking Mother's things?

8. Why do you think Mother makes such extravagant gifts for her family at Christmas?

9. How is Arthur's presence during Mother's trip to the San in Part One: Mother-Arthur important?

10. Explain if you believe that Alice is happy living with Aunt Frances and Uncle Billy.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider the role of creativity, art and literature in Florida.

1)Compare and contrast the way that Father, Alice and Mr. Early use literature in their lives.

2) Do Mother's artistic talents contribute in any meaningful ways to the lives of anyone in the story?

3) How does Alice use her own literary talents in a meaningful way?

Essay Topic 2

Alice has multiple parental figures, good and bad, in Florida. Answer the following questions using examples from the story.

Who is a better mother: Mother or Nonna?

Who is a better father figure for Alice: Mr. Early or Arthur?

Essay Topic 3

Father's vision of Florida as an escape and symbol of hope lives on through Alice and Mother long after his death.

1) Does Alice's vision of hope and paradise change as she gets older? Explain.

2) How do Mother's sun box and the San allow Mother and Alice to continue their Florida fantasy?

3) Why don't Mother or Alice actually ever go to Florida?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 858 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample