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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 the doctor say is the source of Betty's illness?

2. What are Franklin D. Roosevelt's national recovery programs called?

3. What do the men in Lottie's family do all day, every day?

4. What is John Carroll's job?

5. What is the name of the community where Lottie and Betty live?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author show that Charles is losing his rational mind?

2. How does Lottie intervene in Sade's marriage regarding her cheating husband?

3. Why is Lottie so ashamed about Betty's illness?

4. Why is anger Lottie's reaction to Charles' death?

5. Who does Lottie determine has killed Roy and why does she choose to keep quiet about it?

6. Why is no serious investigation ever launched to determine Roy's murderer?

7. Why does friction develop between Charles and Lottie?

8. How does the author show Lottie's true character, especially in the circumstances regarding Trudy?

9. What is the connection that Betty draws between the Depression and infidelity and which of Lottie's friends is directly affected?

10. In whose voice is the Introduction written and what is the message?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the ongoing conflict between Charles and Lottie. What are the main sources of the conflicts? Why does it perpetuate? Why does the conflict between Charles and Lottie occur shortly after their marriage?

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of the book's title? What are some other possible titles for the book. List at least five and cite your reasons for each.

Essay Topic 3

Compassion seems to be almost an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the sense of abandonment? Why does it have such a prevalent place in the lives of the characters? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

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