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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. When did Emily Dickinson die?

2. When was Emily Dickinson born?

3. What has Miss Wilcox’s estranged husband appeared in order to do in Chapter 17?

4. Royal’s ex-girlfriend confronts Mattie with her belief that Royal wants to marry Mattie for what reason in Chapter 29?

5. What is the name of Minnie’s husband in the novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mattie’s relationship with Royal Loomis progress in Chapter 18? How does this relate to Grace Brown’s story?

2. How do Mattie and her coworkers elicit revenge on Mr. Maxwell in Chapter 31?

3. How does Mattie begin to equate Weaver Smith’s situation to that of Grace Brown in Chapter 33?

4. What does Mattie learn about Royal Loomis’s involvement in the foreclosure of Emmie Hubbard’s home in Chapter 29?

5. How is the character of Mr. Maxwell introduced in Chapter 20? What are Mattie’s impressions of this character?

6. What discovery does Mattie make while reading the works of Emily Dickinson in Chapter 23?

7. Where is Miss Wilcox planning to depart for in Chapter 27? How does Mattie visit her teacher?

8. What does Mattie discover through Grace Brown’s letters in Chapter 19? What are her thoughts on this discovery?

9. What are Mattie’s principle concerns about her relationship with Royal in Chapter 18? What does Tommy Hubbard relate to Mattie in this chapter?

10. How is the character of Henry described in Chapter 21? What leads to Henry’s demotion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss Mattie Gokey’s relationship to her family members. How many siblings does Mattie have? When did Mattie’s mother die and how did her death affect Mattie? What is Mattie’s relationship to her father like?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of identity in the novel. In what ways does Mattie struggle to define her identity in the story? How do Weaver and Minnie relate to the theme of identity? What symbolism represents this theme?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the language style of the novel. How would you characterize the style of the dialogue of the characters? Does the author use specific idioms related to the setting of the narrative? What can you discern of the novel’s characters based on their style of speaking?

(see the answer keys)

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