View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Rosa say when Tony talks to her about going further on?

2. Where does Messinger want to go?

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

4. Why does Tony have to prove his infidelity?

5. About what do the detectives warn Tony?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. How does Tony manage to survive in the jungle?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the major themes of A HANDFUL OF DUST is that of the differences among different classes in 1930's England. When the book opens, we meet Mrs. Beaver and her son John, who though they once lived in luxury, now get by through Mrs. Beaver's foray into the mundane middle class of making a living. Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Discuss the idea of "class" as it exists in this novel. Be sure to include specific examples from the text and a definition of class.

2. Compare and contrast the life of upper-class England with that of either the middle class or lower class (i.e., the servants) as it exists in the novel. What is the upper class attitude towards earning a living? The middle class? The lower class? Which class seems the most practical? The most idealistic?

3. Discuss the following question: What is more of a barrier among people: class, education, religion or gender? Explain your reasoning fully using examples both from the text and your own life experiences.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,740 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample