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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. Where does Macon display flexibility in his schedule?

2. Why has Julian tracked Macon down at his childhood home?

3. Why are Macon's siblings leery about Edward?

4. On their training expedition with Edward, what does Muriel ask Macon?

5. What country does Grandfather Leary say he's sailing to?

Short Essay Questions

1. At the Old Bay restaurant, what does Sarah tell Macon she wants and what does she think of him?

2. How does Edward respond to Muriel and her training lessons?

3. Describe Edward's behavior.

4. What does Sarah tell Macon in the car?

5. How does Macon feel about Muriel?

6. Why does Muriel give Macon a calendar?

7. What realization does Macon come to in Paris?

8. What does Macon feel about Sarah at Rose and Julian's wedding?

9. In Philadelphia, what does Porter's daughter, Susan, tell Macon about Ethan?

10. What is significant about Macon's visit to a restaurant at the top of a sky-scraper in New York?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Loss is a major theme in "The Accidental Tourist." The loss and suffering of children are the impetus for other losses, namely marriage.

1. Discuss the possible reasons why Macon and Sarah and Muriel and Norman are unable to take solace in their suffering over their children.

2. Why do you think Tyler utilizes children as the starting point to explore the consequences of grief?

Essay Topic 2

The issue of class is significant in the novel. Macon's family is middle-class, while Muriel has a working-class background. When Macon begins to see Muriel, his family do not approve of Muriel because they think she is just out for a meal ticket. How are Macon's reservations about Muriel also about class division?

Essay Topic 3

Grief plays a large role in the dissolution and reconciliation of Macon and Sarah's marriage. Discuss how Macon and Sarah experience grief in the novel, and how each recovers from their loss.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 659 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample