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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 does Jock apologize?

2. Where is Tony and Messinger's second base camp?

3. Who is Rosa?

4. Who nurses Tony back to health?

5. How is Tony?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is Tony's position in Brenda's social circle by the end of this chapter?

4. What seems to be contrasted in this chapter?

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

6. How is it that Tony seems to be the "bad" guy in a number of ways?

7. How has Tony again entrusted his life to someone for whom that trust is not valid?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Some readers and/or critics might say that A HANDFUL OF DUST contains some elements of a dark comedy. Discuss the following giving specific examples:

1. Define dark comedy and give some examples of works of dark comedy in literature and/or film.

2. Discuss several scenes from A HANDFUL OF DUST that might contain elements of a dark comedy.

3. Why do you think Waugh incorporates elements of dark comedy into this work?

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

The men in A HANDFUL OF DUST often seem to get the bad end of the stick from the women in their lives. Some say that Waugh's somewhat compassionate treatment of Brenda and other women in his other novels who have "strayed" is a reflection of his own life. Discuss the following:

1. How does Waugh portray the relationship between men and women in A HANDFUL OF DUST?

2. Do you think Waugh's portrayal is accurate? How much of his portrayal of how the women treat the men may be a reflection of his personal experience? (This may require a little research).

3. Are there any women in the text who are portrayed admirably? Who? Give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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