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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. Of the four major characters in the novel, which one eventually becomes the decision-maker of the group?

2. Lisa Shilling has her friends promise that they will do something if she becomes violent. What do they promise to do?

3. Mary Nell Fickett states Lisa Shilling's diagnosis is "'a paranoid or a schizophrenic, and maybe both together'" (p. 68). Elizabeth Frazer disagrees and states Lisa's diagnosis is...

4. Why does Lisa Shilling wait until Mr. Goodman is in the room before she deliberately walks through a floor-to-ceiling window?

5. Which major character always eats fattening foods like mayonnaise but still has a slim figure?

Short Essay Questions

1. How might the narrative differ if the protagonists were male?

2. Mary Nell Fickett believes that she might fully master the study of abnormal psychology by reading many books. Describe Mary Nell's reasoning and comment upon it.

3. What techniques does Mrs. Shilling utilize to ignore her daughter Lisa's symptoms of mental illness?

4. After Lisa assaults Elizabeth, she makes her close friends make her a particular promise. What is the promise, and why does she make them accept it?

5. Betsy Goodman believes at one point that she might gain valuable insight into Lisa Shilling's condition simply by watching an Elizabeth Taylor movie. Describe Betsy's reasoning and comment upon it.

6. Mr. Milne makes a few attempts to have Lisa Shilling's condition accepted and treated. He calls upon the school authorities in a formal and, later, an informal manner. He also meets with Rev. Fickett and Mr. Shilling directly. His attempts meet with failure as first Bernstein and the school administration and later Mr. Shilling stonewall him. Should Milne have done anything differently? Should Milne have given up when he did?

7. Mary Nell Fickett and Betsy Goodman briefly consider inviting Lisa Shilling's younger sister Tracy to their group therapy sessions. They decide against it. Why do they decide against it?

8. As the novel points out, Mr. and Mrs. Shilling ultimately are the legally responsible persons for the care of the daughter Lisa. After reading of their stubborn refusal to admit there is a problem, is this the approach that society should continue to utilize for child rearing?

9. Describe Lisa Shilling's punctuality and dependability.

10. The four protagonists have a backyard cookout that ends with Lisa Shilling assaulting Elizabeth Frazer. What leads up to Lisa's assault?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When the novel was first published it was quite up to date and contemporaneous. For today, however, the novel has many elements that appear dated. List elements in the novel that made you think you were reading a dated novel, and explain why. Use examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

The novel presents four teenage girls who begin the year thinking about boys, dating, and sexuality. As the year progresses they think more and more about mental illness and less and less about dating. Discuss elements of sexuality within the novel--why are characters attracted to each other? Is Betsy attracted only to looks? Or does she have a deeper understanding of sexuality? Will she be successful as a married housewife?

Essay Topic 3

The narrator describes many traits of her friends in terms of movie stars or other famous people. In particular, Betsy likes Paul Newman and Cher. If you were revising the novel for today's teenagers, which celebrities would you select to replace Paul Newman, Cher, Joanna Woodward, Shirley MacLaine, and others? How would this process update your understanding of the characters?

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