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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 John say to Nettie as the third scene is ending?

2. How long ago did Nettie's father pass away?

3. How is Nettie responding to Timmy and John's behavior in the beginning of Act 1, Scene 3?

4. How long was Timmy in the army for?

5. What does Timmy do when he returns at the end of the third scene?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Timmy have for his mother, and how does he involve John in the gift?

2. What symbolic act does Nettie make with the roses at the end of Act 1, Scene 3?

3. What is Nettie's initial reaction to the flowers?

4. What happens between Nettie and Timmy in Scene 1 that symbolizes their relationship at this point in the play?

5. What does Timmy tell John that he argued with Nettie about and why?

6. How does Nettie leave at the end of Act 2, Scene 1, and what does Timmy discover?

7. What does the ending of "The Subject was Roses" lead the reader to believe might happen?

8. What is the way Timmy views his father and his family, according to the speech he gives in Act 2, Scene 2?

9. How does Timmy tell John about the purse full of coins, and what is his father's response?

10. What does Timmy conclude at the end of Act 2, Scene 3, and what does it represent for his character?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe John's attempts to get Timmy to stay in the beginning of the last scene. Include how they are indicative of his character and how both Timmy and Nettie respond to him. What does that say about their place in the story at this point? How did each one arrive there?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the ways Timmy and John both view Nettie and the ways they treat her in the play. Use the play as a reference to provide examples that support your analysis in the reasons for their different approach.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the way Nettie and John met and the reasons they were married. What was Nettie looking for? How did John appear to her? Did she understand that he would eventually disappoint her at the time? How has Nettie changed? Has John changed or remained the same? Why does their past represent some of the major reasons for their failing marriage?

(see the answer keys)

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