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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 letter does Tony receive from Brenda on Monday?

2. Who does Jock find at Jenny's flat?

3. What strikes terror into Rosa's people?

4. What does Tony decide?

5. What does John Beaver ask his mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the symbolic significance of the first book that Tony reads?

2. How has John Beaver fared through the saga of Tony and Brenda's failed marriage?

3. What is rather ironic about how divorce is treated in this era?

4. Why do you think Tony decides to go away for awhile?

5. What happens after Brenda has written Tony and telling him about John Beaver?

6. How is the inadequacies of the social circle in which Brenda revolves evident with the death of John Andrew?

7. How does Reggie present the situation about Brenda to Tony?

8. What are the indications that Tony may still be plagued by a "curse" or bad luck?

9. Why does Tony have to appear to be in the wrong?

10. How long is it before Tony and Messinger are able to talk to the men of the village about what they want?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In most relationships, each person is getting something out of the relationship, whether or not the relationship seems good. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think John Beaver is getting out of his affair with Brenda, especially considering he does not seem to particularly like Brenda.

2. What do you think Brenda is getting out of his affair with John, especially considering she does not seem to particularly find John all that interesting.

3. What is Tony getting out of the marriage with Brenda after she begins staying in London for great lengths of time?

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 3, "Hard Cheese on Tony: Part Seven," Brenda sends Tony a letter telling him about her affair with John and asking to end their marriage. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think Brenda would be so cruel as to write Tony just a couple days after the death of their son?

2. Do you think Brenda ever loved Tony? Why or why not? Give examples.

3. What would be your response if someone did something like what Brenda does in writing Tony so soon after the death of their son?

Essay Topic 3

Often the people hurt the most in a situation like that of Tony and Brenda's is a child. John Andrew plays a pivotal role in the melodrama of Brenda's descent into selfishness. Discuss the following:

1. Compare the relationship between John Andrew and each of his parents.

2. How does the relationship between John Andrew and his parents (individually) change over the course of the story?

3. How does John Andrew tip the scales in Brenda's decision to reveal all to Tony? Do you think she is genuinely grieved about her son's death or glad for an opportunity for "total freedom"?

(see the answer keys)

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