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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. Why is Jock uncomfortable with Tony at first?

2. Why is Tony annoyed?

3. How does Brenda do at Polly's party?

4. How does Brenda put off Tony's attentions later that night?

5. In what style was the Abbey rebuilt?

Short Essay Questions

1. What sort of "struggle" seems to be going on between Brenda and John Beaver?

2. What do you think about Jock's behavior towards his friend, Tony?

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

4. What do you think of John Beaver's attempts to remain connected to the upper class by angling for invitations to various events.

5. What occurs in this chapter to demonstrate how far Brenda has sunken into self deceit?

6. What can you infer about the Beaver household from the information in Chapter 1?

7. How does it seem that Brenda has absolutely no concern for Tony nor for her own reputation?

8. Describe John Andrew's death.

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

10. What happens in this chapter that indicates Brenda's lack of devotion as a mother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In , Chapter 3, "Hard Cheese on Tony , Part 1," Tony encounters Jock at the Brat's Club. At first Jock feels a little awkward with Tony, since everyone knows about Brenda's affair with John Beaver. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think it is wrong of Jock to know something so important to Tony's life and not tell him? Why or why not?

2. Where are there other examples in the text when Brenda's affair is being discussed? Give examples and analyze the motives of the characters and morality of the situation.

3. Do you think Brenda not saying anything sooner is motivated out of compassion or greed? Give specific examples.

Essay Topic 2

Evelyn Waugh is known for his social satires, A HANDFUL OF DUST being one of his most well-known. Discuss the following:

1. What is a social satire? Give other examples besides A Handful of Dust.

2. Discuss why A Handful of Dust is considered a social satire. Give specific examples to support your ideas.

3. Discuss how effective A HANDFUL OF DUST is as a social satire.

Essay Topic 3

A HANDFUL OF DUST takes its title from a T.S. Eliot poem titled "The Wasteland." Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Discuss the similar themes that are jointly present in "The Wasteland" and A Handful of Dust.

2. Compare and contrast the use of a poem versus a novel to express similar ideas.

3. Discuss why both Eliot and Waugh, who wrote in the same era, would be interested in the same social themes.

(see the answer keys)

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