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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. Whom does Hadley marry?

2. What do Ernest and Hadley do when the lease on the villa ends?

3. What does Ernest tell Hadley when he is writing her memoirs?

4. Where do Hadley and Pauline often bicycle?

5. What illness strikes Bumby?

Short Essay Questions

1. What deal did Hadley offer Ernest?

2. What happens when Hadley goes to visit Kitty at Kitty's apartment?

3. Describe the confrontation between Ernest and Hadley about Pauline.

4. Where do Ernest, Hadley, and Bumby go and how was the trip?

5. How does it appear that Hadley and Pauline are friends? How does Hadley really feel about Pauline?

6. Why is Zelda jealous and what does she think of Ernest?

7. What did Ernest tell Hadley when he called about writing his memoir?

8. What does Ernest write Hadley from Madrid, and why does Ernest hate to be alone?

9. Who begins to visit the Hemingways frequently and what does Ernest think of her?

10. Why do Ernest and Hadley decide to return to Paris?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know." Sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the book more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Paula McLain.

2. What in McLain's background may have helped him in writing The Paris Wife? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Hadley and Pauline. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Ernest and Ezra. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in The Paris Wife help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 3

The Paris Wife belongs to the historical novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the historical novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a historical novel and a historical novel mystery?

(see the answer keys)

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