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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. Most of Ralph's fortune comes from his business in which industry?

2. Why does Ralph value Mrs. Larsen so much?

3. How old was Catherine when she became the mistress of a married man?

4. What is a doctor's diagnosis of Ralph's condition?

5. Antonio says that the only way Ralph will mean anything to him is _____________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. When does Truitt realize he is being poisoned and what does he do about it?

2. What is the nature of the encounter between Catherine and Alice in present day St. Louis?

3. What is the link between poison and passion for Truitt at this point in his life?

4. What does a flashback reveal about Catherine and Alice's sad childhood?

5. How does Truitt feel when Catherine returns home without Antonio and what is Truitt's suggestion for their life?

6. Describe how Catherine vacillates on poisoning Truitt and how she makes the decision to stop altogether.

7. Why does Antonio delight in telling Catherine about where Alice is?

8. How does Truitt think Antonio is just like himself at that age?

9. Who is Violet Alverson and how does Antonio cavalierly destroy her?

10. What does Truitt do regarding his business as his health rapidly deteriorates?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A RELIABLE WIFE is a classic story of good vs. evil. What does that classification entail? Why does this story fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the overall setting for the story. Why does the author use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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