View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why did Catherine feel obligated to be kind to the new doctor in Lowfield?

2. What is the name of the receptionist at the Lowfield Gazette?

3. What is the name of Molly Perkins' son?

4. What does Catherine assume about the woman whose body she discovered because of the location?

5. What does Tom reveal to Catherine that the sheriff's son is doing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is Sheriff Galton suspicious of Catherine? Why would he be suspicious of her? What is his advice for her?

2. Who is the killer? What is his or her medical diagnosis and why does it lead to murder?

3. What is the manner of Leona's death? Where does she die? Where does she ultimately end up and why does the sheriff think she was moved?

4. When does Catherine figure out who the killer is? How?

5. What does Catherine learn from Salton Sims about Leona Gaites? How is his revelation verified?

6. What do we learn about Catherin Linton in the first chapter and what do these descriptions tell us about her character?

7. What is the exchange between Catherine and the sheriff like and how does Catherine feel about this?

8. Do you believe that Catherine's discovery of Tom's body has lessened or heightened Sheriff Galton's suspicion of her? What else in Chapter 11 could contribute to the heightening or lessening of the sheriff's suspicion of Catherine?

9. Who does the body that Catherine discovers turn out to be and why is the sheriff disturbed at the discovery?

10. How does Catherine feel when she gets home from the sheriff's office in Chapter 4? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the beginning of the novel, we meet a depressed and withdrawn Catherine Linton, and the tone of the novel also seems somber and full of imagery related to isolation. However, this mood seems to change as Catherine's character grows and develops through the novel. Can you identify a parallel between the Catherine's mood throughout the novel and the mood of the novel itself? Is this a writing technique of the author used on purpose? What effect does it have on the novel and on the development of the plot? Provide examples.

Essay Topic 2

The setting of the novel, the small town of Lowfield, is in the southern state of Mississippi. What part do Southern values play in the novel? Can you find a part or parts in the novel where Catherine Linton talks about or gives specific references to things that occur in the South? How does the southern setting of the novel affect its plot, characters and character interactions? Give examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

The novel "Sweet and Deadly" is categorized in the mystery genre. Explain the key concepts in a murder mystery and point out if and where these concepts are present in the novel. How does this novel differ from a "traditional" murder mystery? What are the most important elements in the novel that make for a complete murder mystery?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,406 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample