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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 dominates Danielle's thoughts as she prepares to go to sleep?

2. Who is the old friend that Murray meets for a drink?

3. With whom is Julius having an affair?

4. Who does Judy begin to blame for Bootie's absence from home?

5. What is Danielle Minkoff's profession?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is ironic about the chapter on raising children in Murray's book?

2. What kind of father is Murray to Marina when she comes to him for help?

3. Who is Frederick (Bootie) Tubb and what is he doing since he left college?

4. How does the author show that Bootie is unprepared for life in Manhattan?

5. How does the author use the literary technique of foreshadowing in this section?

6. What is Murray's philosophy on life since he was able to escape the banality of his childhood home?

7. Why is Danielle Minkoff in Australia and who does she meet there?

8. When Marina and Julius meet to talk about Bootie, what emerges from the tone of their conversation?

9. What topic does Danielle try to talk to Marina about and why does Marina resist?

10. Who is Murray's wife and what is her profession?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one instance of irony in the book. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the book and note why they are examples of irony.

Essay Topic 2

How does Messud address the gay culture in Manhattan in the early twenty-firstcentury? Is she authentic in her portrayal of gays during this time period? Does she slip into any stereotypes that may be found offensive? Does she portray gays in a flattering light in her book? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Create a character study of Danielle. What are her physical characteristics? What are her motivations? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Danielle?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 790 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample