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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. In which country was the story set in the beginning of the book?

2. Who wrote "Delphine?"

3. Which city was the family's final destination?

4. What is the surname of Claire's husband?

5. Ourika's language is referred to as being _____.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Fowles say about Claire de Duras' work as a white novelist writing about a black woman in France?

2. What major events took place while Claire was living in England? How and when did Claire meet her husband? What was his background?

3. Who is Ourika? What was Ourika's history?

4. What about Mr. Norman's bookstore was the most exciting to Fowles?

5. Discuss the first publication of Ourika. What was unusual about the publication?

6. Who was sent to visit Ourika in a convent outside Paris? What was the doctor's background?

7. What does Duras' depiction of Ourika tend to continue to be important regarding race and feminism?

8. What does Ourika claim is her problem? What does the doctor notice about Ourika's condition? What is the doctor's advice?

9. What occurred after Claire published "Ourika" and her second book, "Edouard?"

10. How did Fowles discover Ourika? What was his initial opinion of the book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ourika and Mme. de B. had an unusual relationship. Explain in detail the relationship between the lady and the young black girl. Describe Mme. de B.'s purpose and incentive in raising Ourika as a surrogate granddaughter.

Essay Topic 2

John Fowles fell in love with Mr. Norman's bookstore in Hampstead. At that bookstore, Fowles became enchanted by books, including "Ourika." Describe Fowles' fascination with the bookstore. What caused him to pick up the copy of Ourika many years after it was re-released? What about Ourika touched Fowles so deeply? What did Fowles say about the book? What did Fowles say about Ourika as a character? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Write a short story or essay on what might have happened if the French Revolution had never occurred. What might have happened to the structure of France? How would it have affected the characters? Did the Revolution have any effect on the Black Code and the issues of slavery in France? Explain. Also, explain how the Revolution affected the structure of the aristocracy, including Mme. de B.'s connections to them and how that may have changed as well.

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