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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. How does Tony's weekend farce turn out?

3. What would Brenda's increased demands mean?

4. Who calls a family meeting of Brenda's family?

5. How many trips has Tony made in his life?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What seems to be contrasted in this chapter?

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

7. What do Messigner and Tony decide to do and do you think they make the best choice?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter 2, "English Gothic: Part Three," Brenda is just taking the first steps on the road to adultery. Discuss the following:

1. Is it obvious yet that Brenda consciously intends to develop her curiosity of John Beaver into a full-blown affair? Why or why not?

2. Is it obvious yet that John consciously intends to develop his flirtation with Brenda into a full-blown affair? Why or why not?

3. What is similar about these two characters that puts them on the path to having an affair? Could either have stopped this becoming an affair, or is the dye already cast by this early chapter?

Essay Topic 2

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"?

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)

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