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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 does Hardcastle assume from Kate's comments about Marlow?

2. Tired of humoring Hardcastle, what blunder does Marlow make?

3. What does Hastings say about Marlow in the company of women of reputation?

4. What is Hardcastle's toast after passing out the punch?

5. What does Kate say about Marlow?

Short Essay Questions

1. Tell how Tony describes the Hardcastle family.

2. What clue does the landlord give in the muttered line that Tony is a damn'd mischievous son of a whore?

3. What is happening simultaneously as Tony runs in with the casket of jewels?

4. Describe the argument Tony has with Mrs. Hardcastle in front of Constance and Hastings.

5. After looking at the night's menu, what does Marlow do?

6. Explain Tony's trickery with Mrs. Hardcastle when Constance is pressing her to relinquish her jewels.

7. Explain the hilarity when Mrs. Hardcastle discovers that the jewels are not where she left them.

8. When Mrs. Hardcastle sees Tony and Constance together, what does she assume?

9. How do we know that Kate is actually excited at the prospect of a handsome, well-mannered husband-to-be?

10. What does Hastings really want to discuss with Tony?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Words have changed their meaning since Goldsmith wrote this play. For example, the word modesty is used in an entirely different way from the way we use it today. Find at least ten examples of words that have a different meaning today and write a paper showing how they are used in the play and how we might use those words today. In some cases, it might be that the word in the play is no longer used and you will need to provide a modern word that expresses the same idea.

Essay Topic 2

In the 18th century, women, especially unmarried women, had almost no civil rights. Using Miss Neville as an example, explain how she had almost no control over her own affairs. Also, explain why Mrs. Hardcastle came to be her guardian and have control over her inheritance. Explain why Mr. Hardcastle had nothing to do with Miss Neville's situation. Contrast Tony's situation to Miss Neville's. His mother controlled his inheritance, but he had the promise of getting out from under that control even without marrying. What is the difference?

Essay Topic 3

Unseen central objects in SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER are the jewels. These jewels were not very secure in Mrs. Hardcastle's locked bureau drawer. The British obsession with jewels goes back many centuries and may be best illustrated by the Royal Crown jewels of the monarchs. Research some of the most spectacular crown jewels and write a paper about their value and how they are kept safe.

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