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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 type of church does Birkin attend on Sunday evenings?

2. Why does Birkin return to the church after leaving to head home?

3. Why doesn't Birkin pursue a romantic relationship with Alice?

4. Who greets Birkin when he arrives at the church in Barton Ferry?

5. What is the name of Birkin's wife?

Short Essay Questions

1. After the service in Barton Ferry, with whom does Birkin have tea? What does he see at their home that upsets him?

2. What is the source of Birkin's contentment in August in Oxgodby?

3. What story does Moon tell about one of his acquaintances when he and Birkin are discussing the war?

4. What is the relationship like between Birkin and his wife?

5. Why do Birkin and the Ellerbecks go to Ripon and are they successful in meeting their goal?

6. Describe the final interaction between Alice and Birkin.

7. Describe how Birkin feels the last time he views the painting?

8. What does Birkin do when Alice is not in church? What conclusion does he come to regarding her whereabouts?

9. What physical characteristics does Birkin claim the painter has? How does he know these details?

10. What part of the painting does the painter leave unfilled? What are Birkin's speculation regarding this situation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Birkin and Alice develop the metaphor of a puzzle for uncovering the painting. Write an essay examining this metaphor. What does it do for the novel? Do you think it is an apt metaphor? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Mossop's character is only occasionally mentioned in the novel. Write an essay examining the role of his character.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay examining how setting influences the characters in the novel. How are the characters connected to the world outside of Oxgodby?

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