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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. Of what does Strether try to convince Chad in Book 12?

2. How does Strether describe Maria Gostrey's dining room?

3. From which city in New York do the Pocock's sail?

4. How does Strether claim to have known that something was about to happen in Book 10?

5. What is Sarah Pocock's nickname?

Short Essay Questions

1. With whom does Strether discuss meeting in Book 11?

2. What does Madame de Vionnet ask Strether concerning Mrs. Newsome?

3. What does Strether do with the telegram he receives from Mrs. Newsome in Book 7?

4. What opinion does Mamie Pocock give Strether about Madame de Vionnet in Book 9?

5. Where does Strether visit in the beginning of Book 7?

6. Where in Paris is the Pocock's hotel?

7. Why does Strether thank Madame de Vionnet?

8. When Strether encounters Mamie Pocock, whom is she expecting?

9. What present from Chad does Strether notice in Mamie Pocock's apartment?

10. What does Chad admit about Sarah's visit to Strether in Book 11?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay in which you examine James' psychological portrayal of his characters. Is it possible always to know what James' characters are thinking? Do certain characters' views surprise the reader? Are the thoughts of the characters of greater interest to the writer than the action of the plot? Examine the psychological complexity of the novel's characters, and argue whether you think The Ambassadors is a psychological novel.

Essay Topic 2

The author frequently intersperses the novel with terms in French. Write an essay in which you analyze the effect that these instances of French have on the tone, setting, and/or themes of the novel.

Essay Topic 3

There are many instances in the novel of characters being disingenuous, lying, or withholding information. Strether occasionally notices these lies but does not count them as strong moral judgments. Write an essay explaining what justifies lying from Strether's point of view, including whether you consider that all lies are justified or only in specific circumstances.

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