Madeleine is Sleeping | 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 - Part 1

1. Who is Madeleine?

2. Describe the physical attributes of Matilda. What is so special about her?

3. Why did Saint Michel wish to be beaten and punished?

4. Who commissions the viol and why?

5. How does Charlotte feel about the viol?

6. Who is Marguerite?

7. What does Mother do with all of the fruit Madeleine dreams up?

8. Why does Mother plunge Madeleine's hands into a pot of boiling lye?