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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. Where is Derace Kingsley when Degarmo and Marlowe get to the cabin?

2. When Marlowe reveals that Mrs. Kingsley has been dead for over a month, what does Kingsley do with his hands?

3. Where does Marlowe suggest Muriel Chess drowned Crystal Kingsley?

4. How long does Mrs. Talley say she has been sick?

5. Who do the Graysons suspect Dr. Almore of having an affair with?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Grayson describe Mr. Talley?

2. As Degarmo seemingly gets away, what sentiment does Marlowe utter twice?

3. What reason does Marlowe give to Degarmo for telling Degarmo all Marlowe suspects, on the ride up to Kingsley's cabin?

4. What is the big coincidence that Marlowe identifies in the case?

5. How does Grayson describe Dr. Almore's practice?

6. What does Webber do, when Marlowe tells him about being threatened by Degarmo?

7. What does Degarmo do when Patton makes it clear that he can't let Degarmo go?

8. How does Degarmo react to Marlowe mentioning the idea that Almore murdered his wife and then used his influence to get it hushed up?

9. How does Marlowe get out of the apartment at the Granada?

10. After Patton shoots at Degarmo, what does Degarmo do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As a crime novel, The Lady in the Lake is concerned with justice. Discuss justice in the novel.

1) What does Marlowe consider justice to be?

2) How does the law deliver justice, or does it? What is the relationship between the law and justice?

3) Does the novel deliver justice to its characters? In what ways?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, Phillip Marlowe encounters corruption, both moral and ethical. Discuss corruption in the novel.

1) How are the police in the novel corrupt, and how does Marlowe perceive that corruption?

2) What kinds of moral corruption does Marlowe face among the people he comes into contact with? How is that moral corruption related to the corruption of the police?

3) How does Marlowe deal with temptations to corruption, such as Kingsley offering him money to cover up a murder?

Essay Topic 3

The Lady in the Lake involves characters changing and hiding their Identities. Discuss the concept of identity in the novel.

1) How is identity obscured in the novel? Who attempts to obscure their identity, and why?

2) How do the characters know others' identities? How do characters create their identities?

3) How does Marlowe formulate his own identity? How do others perceive him?

(see the answer keys)

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