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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. In what year does the novel begin?

2. What had tormented Ralph for his entire life?

3. Catherine notes that there are no _________________ in Ralph's house.

4. Why do the private investigators advise Catherine to not pursue Antonio any longer?

5. What does Antonio do after he eats his meal?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of the canary that Catherine purchases?

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

3. What are Truitt's thoughts about Antonio even though he and the boy hated each other years ago?

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

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

6. What does Truitt's wish to have Antonio back foreshadow for the story?

7. What does Truitt tell Catherine about his life with Emilia and the house he built for her?

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

9. What internal conflict does a youthful Truitt experience during his days of debauchery in Europe?

10. In what way does Ralph and Catherine's relationship begin with a lie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Truitt. 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 3

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

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