The Last Silk Dress | Essay & Project Ideas

The Last Silk Dress Ideas for Reports and Papers

1. There are several mothers in this book: Charlotte, Mrs. Wigfall, Mrs. Turnstable (Connie's mother), and Mrs. Thomasia Christian Winston Harrold, Susan's next door neighbor. Looking at these women, compare and contrast their characteristics. Speculate on why Rinaldi used all these women. How do they, in their own scenes, act as "foils" to each other? (A foil is a character who stands in direct contrast to another and who sheds light on that other character through contrast.)

2. The Last Silk Dress is historical fiction. Reviewing the text, list ten things you learned about the Civil War. Then discuss how this knowledge is integrated into the novel. Is it part of something Susan tells you? How does the historical data enrich your reading?

3. Examine the structure of the novel and discuss why it is divided into four parts. Speak about why specific dates are mentioned....
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