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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How do the editors characterize James' view on short stories?
(a) A short story could be like a mirror for the reader.
(b) A short story could be a roadmap for the future of society.
(c) A short story could be like a force of nature.
(d) A short story could be like a picture.

2. What does John Marcher realize he should have done?
(a) Taken May Bartram for a mistress.
(b) Fallen in love with May Bartram.
(c) Let May Bartram teach him about philanthropy.
(d) Moved in with May Bartram.

3. What is John Marcher there to see?
(a) Antiques and artistic treasures.
(b) Society women.
(c) His lover.
(d) Wild animals.

4. What does Dencombe realize as he dies?
(a) People only get one chance.
(b) Books only live forever if they have readers.
(c) Writers are already dead.
(d) People die and get reborn all the time.

5. What is the young man, whom Dencombe sees approaching, doing?
(a) Discoursing to the young girl.
(b) Reading one of his books.
(c) Reading a critical review of his book.
(d) Reading a letter.

6. Why does the main character refuse the fiancee's offer?
(a) She is anxious to leave her job.
(b) She likes being close to the upper class.
(c) He cannot support her mother as well as her.
(d) It would not be respectable to move to his neighborhood.

7. For how long has Spencer Brydon been living in Europe at the beginning of 'Jolly Corner'?
(a) 18 years.
(b) 1 year.
(c) 12 years.
(d) 33 years.

8. What warning does Miss Vernham give Dencombe?
(a) To pay more attention to the Countess.
(b) To tend to his health not his writing.
(c) To leave Dr. Hugh alone.
(d) To take care of his own health.

9. What had John Marcher told May Bartram when they met earlier?
(a) His professional ambitions.
(b) He declared his love to her.
(c) His crumbling financial situation.
(d) A great secret.

10. Whose house is on Jolly Corner?
(a) Spencer Brydon's family's house.
(b) Miss Staverton's lover's.
(c) Miss Staverton's family's house.
(d) Spencer Brydon's business partner's.

11. Why does Dencombe feel this way?
(a) His previous books were not well received, and he does not expect this one to be either.
(b) He has published so many novels, he has gone through this before.
(c) He did not expect this money to come to him.
(d) This is his first book.

12. What quality does a premise have to have in order to be suitable for a novel, in James' opinion?
(a) It has to be rich with possibilities.
(b) It has to make new insights into the nature of human consciousness.
(c) It has to redefine the forms of all novels that came before it.
(d) It has to prove a moral or teach a lesson.

13. How long did stories need to be in James' time?
(a) Around 10,000 words.
(b) Around 7,000 words.
(c) Around 3,000 words.
(d) Around 5,000 words.

14. How does James describe the Countess?
(a) Fragile and unhealthy-looking.
(b) Stout and middle-aged.
(c) Fit and energetic.
(d) Mousy and retiring.

15. How does James characterize Spencer Brydon's alter ego?
(a) Sickly.
(b) Black.
(c) Devious.
(d) Deformed.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who haunts the house on jolly corner?

2. Where does John Marcher meet May Bartram?

3. What did people think fiction should do, according to Henry James?

4. What does the main character plan to do, when she is disappointed by Captain Everard?

5. In what month is 'The Middle Years' set?

(see the answer keys)

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