View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Elwood Dowd deal with his invisible friend?

2. Ethel Chauvenet is key in the first scene because ______________________.

3. What does Dr. Lyman Sanderson claim about Veta Simmons' mental condition?

4. What does Betty Chumley tell the sanitarium staff about Harvey?

5. What words appear at the bottom of the page that Wilson is reading when the scene ends?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Veta Simmons trying to get accepted by the town's society folk?

2. When Veta Simmons asks Elwood Dowd to wait for her in the parlor, what do you think she wants to talk to him about?

3. What does Ruth Kelly fear about "accidentally" committing Elwood Dowd earlier that day instead of his "crazy" sister?

4. How does Myrtle Mae Simmons feel about her uncle?

5. What does Dr. Lyman Sanderson believe is Veta Simmons' motivation for coming to the sanitarium and telling him about Elwood Dowd and Harvey?

6. Veta Simmons explains to Dr. Lyman Sanderson that Elwood Dowd has some quirks, including drinking. What does this imply about Elwood Dowd?

7. Is the relationship between the nurse and Dr. Lyman Sanderson purely professional?

8. How do Ruth Kelly and Dr. Lyman Sanderson interact throughout this scene? What does this reveal about their relationship.

9. Why does Veta Simmons ask her daughter to be especially nice to Ethel Chauvenet?

10. Why do you think Elwood Dowd invites Mrs. Greenawalt, a telemarketer, to his sister's party?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Act 1, Scene 2, where Elwood Dowd is taken to the sanitarium by Veta Simmons, there is a lot of comic miscommunication occurring. All of the various characters have an incomplete understanding of the situation, which makes Veta Simmons' situation at once comical and tragic. Please find three examples from this scene about how poor communications can create very different results from what was originally intended.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the characters of Elwood Dowd with Dr. William Chumley. How are they different? How are they alike? Would these two character have grown closer together had Elwood Dowd never brought up Harvey? Why or why not? Which one of the two do you believe is more sane?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the play "Harvey", Mary Chase weaves a theme about how humans need to hold onto their dreams. This is best articulated by Veta Simmons when she is speaking with Judge Gaffney in Act 2, Scene 1. Do you believe the author is trying to say that, although Harvey may not be real, it is important for people to believe in something beyond themselves that, ultimately, makes them better? Please support your thesis from examples based on the text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 818 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample