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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 old is Norman when he first meets Jim?

2. What is the subject of Jim's latest brags?

3. How does Norman end each day?

4. How does Norman meet Jim Grierson?

5. What does Norman take away from his experience with Jim?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Jim invites Norman to his home for dinner?

2. How does Norman come to feel about Jim?

3. Why is Norman especially annoyed when Jim has an affair with a local woman?

4. What does Norman fear about Jim?

5. How is Jim's behavior at dinner?

6. How does Norman perceive Jim's letters?

7. What does Norman observe about Jim's behavior with the other men?

8. How does Norman regain some composure after his trying days with Jim?

9. What is Jim's wintertime job?

10. What does Norman agree to do by the end of the summer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the symbolism of Jim's final letter to Norman describing Jim's conquest of a large woman. Why did Jim send such a letter? Does he think the large woman is some sort of trophy? What does he want Norman to know from this letter? Would Jim be surprised to learn that Norman thinks that Jim has finally met his match in the large woman?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the concept of irony as it relates to Jim's not eating any pie even after he has complained relentlessly that the cooks do not serve any pie for breakfast. Why would Maclean choose to include this example of Jim's behavior? Not having pie for breakfast does not seem like a big infraction, so why does Jim not let it go? Then, after he has accomplished his goal of getting pie served in the mornings, why does he not eat it?

Essay Topic 3

Mrs. Maclean dotes on Paul and refuses to talk about his death at the end of the story. Explain the concept of denial and how Mrs. Maclean will not address Paul's alcoholism. By refusing to look at Paul's weakness, how does Mrs. Maclean inadvertently contribute to Paul's death?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 671 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample