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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. Where are Tony and Milly going?

2. What are the legal ramifications of John Andrew's death?

3. What does a Pie Wie tribal member tell Mr. Todd?

4. Who ends up going with Dr. Messinger and Tony?

5. What propels Tony to start a dialog with Brenda?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What seems to be contrasted in this chapter?

5. How does Brenda take the news of her son's death?

6. How does Brenda use the death of her son to justify her request for a divorce?

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

8. How does Tony finally take some of his own personal power back and take charge of his destiny?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

As in almost any text, there are a number of symbols and metaphors present in A HANDFUL OF DUST. Discuss one of the following:

1. Choose three major symbols in the novel and discuss their meanings as they occur in various places throughout the text.

2. Choose two major metaphors in the novel and discuss their meanings as they occur in various places throughout the text.

3. Discuss the symbols of Hetton Place as it relates to Tony's ideals and beliefs.

Essay Topic 3

Tony is an aristocrat who is still immersed in the Victorian era. His wife, Brenda is the embodiment of the more modern times and beliefs. Discuss one of the following:

1. Discuss characteristics of the Victorian era and where those appear in the novel.

2. Discuss the characteristics of the post-Victorian and where those appear in the novel.

3. Compare and contrast the Victorian era with the post-Victorian era of the first several decades of the 20th century.

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