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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 will be inside the coffins with Tom and Dick?

2. What is inside the basket on Tom's cabin floor?

3. Where does Marge tell Dickie she is going to?

4. What did Dickie's mother send for him?

5. What does Tom hit Freddie with?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the morning Tom sets sail start off badly for him?

2. How does Tom kill Dickie?

3. What does Tom write in a letter from Dickie to Marge?

4. What excuse does Tom give Marge for Dickie's absence?

5. In what way is Tom's new cap versatile?

6. What brings tears to Tom's eyes?

7. How does Dickie insult Tom in Chapter 12?

8. Why does Carlo want two people to ride to Paris in a coffin?

9. Who does Tom think is the man following him?

10. How does Dickie anger Tom in Chapter 10?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What modes of communication are open to Ripley? How do the modes of communication Highsmith represents give the novel a sense of place and time?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the novel's dialogue. How does Highsmith's dialogue contribute to the following areas:

1) Character

2) Setting

3) Plot

Essay Topic 3

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Highsmith use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Aside from the main character ,examine the way Highsmith uses the other characters in the story. When does she introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 734 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample