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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. How does Ralph express his longing for Catherine?

2. Catherine has studied which language?

3. What does Catherine do with her expensive clothing?

4. Who was Ralph's brother?

5. What does Catherine notice as she and Ralph drive toward his house?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Catherine maintain a low profile in St. Louis even though she is excited by being in the city?

2. What is the significance of Truitt's mother stabbing him with a needle and then the resulting scar that reminds him of the act?

3. What lie does Catherine tell about about her father as she is tending to Ralph's head wound?

4. What significance does the loss of Catherine's jewelry serve symbolically and as an element of foreshadowing?

5. What is the one expectation that Truitt has of Catherine by sending her to St. Louis?

6. What does the author reveal about Catherine's true intentions regarding Truitt?

7. How is Ralph described by the emotions he wears on his face as well as his obsession with sex?

8. How does Mrs. Larsen show Catherine that she will not stand by and let anyone else hurt Truitt?

9. What were the circumstances in which Emilia left Truitt?

10. Describe the carriage accident in which Ralph is hurt.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of Antonio. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him--if anything--at this point in his life?

Essay Topic 2

Why does Ralph allow himself to be gradually poisoned by Catherine, even after he's aware of what's happening to him? What does this decision say about his character?

Essay Topic 3

Greed takes on a human persona in this story especially surrounding the characters of Catherine and Antonio. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

(see the answer keys)

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