View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Brenda visit in London?

2. Why is John annoyed with Brenda?

3. How does John remain connected to the upper class?

4. Why does Brenda meet with Mrs. Beaver?

5. Who wants to know how to find Jock Grant-Menzies?

Short Essay Questions

1. How would you characterize John Beaver's idea of a relationship with a woman (including Brenda)?

2. What is likely foreshadowed at the beginning of this chapter?

3. How are the rooms of Hetton symbolic?

4. Give a brief description of the Last family members.

5. What are a couple of the reactions to Brenda seeing John Beaver?

6. How does it seem Mrs. Beaver is manipulating something between Brenda and John Beaver?

7. Do you think John Beaver knows what the upper class people with whom he wants to associate think of him?

8. What does Brenda do the rest of the weekend at Hetton and why do you think she does those things?

9. What do you think is a theme that is introduced in this first chapter?

10. What does Tony find annoying and why do you think he put himself in the situation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the major themes of A HANDFUL OF DUST is that of the differences among different classes in 1930's England. When the book opens, we meet Mrs. Beaver and her son John, who though they once lived in luxury, now get by through Mrs. Beaver's foray into the mundane middle class of making a living. Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Discuss the idea of "class" as it exists in this novel. Be sure to include specific examples from the text and a definition of class.

2. Compare and contrast the life of upper-class England with that of either the middle class or lower class (i.e., the servants) as it exists in the novel. What is the upper class attitude towards earning a living? The middle class? The lower class? Which class seems the most practical? The most idealistic?

3. Discuss the following question: What is more of a barrier among people: class, education, religion or gender? Explain your reasoning fully using examples both from the text and your own life experiences.

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of themes in this story, one of which has already been discussed. Discuss one of the following:

1. Choose two major themes (other than that of class) and analyze them and discuss examples of where that theme appears in the text.

2. Compare and contrast two major themes in the novel to those themes found in other texts/movies with which you are familiar.

3. Other than class, which theme do you think is the major theme of the book? Discuss why and give example

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 2, "English Gothic: Part One," the rooms of Hetton Abbey are named after characters in the story of King Arthur. Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Discuss fully the legend of King Arthur.

2. Discuss how the legend of King Arthur and A Handful of Dust are similar and why.

3. Discuss how A Handful of Dust and the legend of King Arthur are different and why.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,368 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample