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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 does Rowley say to Mary?

2. How long has Mary known Edgar?

3. Why does Mary have second thoughts about attending the party?

4. What does Karl point out to Mary as they are driving to her villa?

5. What does Mary think about on the way to the party?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the Princess choose the restaurant they are at for the party and how is she disappointed?

2. What is paradoxical about the Princess's personality?

3. How does Mary end up driving Rowley to his hotel and what happens?

4. How has Mary been spending her time lately and what bearing does that have to do with Mary being at the villa?

5. What does the Colonel think of Edgar's prospects in his career?

6. What sort of arrangements does Edgar make with Ciro?

7. How does Karl present himself?

8. How does Mary meet Karl Richter?

9. How does Mary begin to respond to Matthew's drinking?

10. What is Mary's response to Rowley's questions about Edgar and how does Rowley respond?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter 8, Mary discusses her previous marriage with Matthew by saying that Matthew was charming, kind and fun until he was drinking and that even from the beginning she was distressed and ashamed of him when he went into drunken rages. Mary tells Rowley that she tried desperately to save Matthew from the drinking but that she couldn't, though sometimes they'd have horrible fights over it. Mary admits that she came to despise Matthew, knowing as she did about his secretive drinking and the affairs, but says she felt he was so dependent on her that she couldn't bring herself to end the marriage. Discuss the following:

1. Research and write a brief definition with examples of the term "co-dependent."

2. Do you think Mary is co-dependent with Matthew by the descriptions she gives of her behavior with him? Why or why not. Be sure to include specific examples to support your points.

3. In what other situations is Mary co-dependent? Be specific.

4. Do you think Mary is cured of her codependency by the end of the novel? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by this book--questions that Maugham may have wanted the readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the author's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Maugham's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

Essay Topic 3

Rowley isn't very favorably seen by his peers and Mary says that his biggest disgrace is that he's never had to work. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think it is harmful for someone to be "born into money"? What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of such a situation?

2. What character traits of Rowley's do you think are directly or indirectly attributable to his never having to work and have all the money he needs/wants? Discuss fully using examples from the text.

3. Assuming you have not been born into the same type of situation as Rowley, do you think you would want to have been born into a very wealthy family that did not require you to earn a living? Why or why not.

4. What do you think Rowley should have been (could be) doing differently with his money that might be more positive--or is it positive enough to just want to enjoy life? Explain fully.

(see the answer keys)

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