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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. Who declares his love for Denise despite the fact that she only wants to be friends with him?

2. What happens to the business where Denise moonlights?

3. What role does Mouret assume in the store?

4. What is the name of Denise's uncle?

5. Who is the main character in AU BONHEUR DES DAMES?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Madame Desforges treat Denise when she realizes that Mouret is interested in Denise?

2. Why is the summer season especially difficult for the store employees?

3. Describe the initial contacts between Denise and Mouret.

4. What does the color white symbolize in Chapter 14?

5. What is the perception by the store management when they learn that the sales girls are taking on extra work?

6. What is the main theme in Chapter 10?

7. How does Denise first come in contact with Au Bonheur des Dames?

8. How does Mouret exploit women to achieve his goals?

9. How does the author use images of death to show that it is a part of life?

10. Why does Denise end up leaving the store when she could have anything she wanted?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Mouret and Baudu. What are their roles within the retail industry in Paris? What are their core values? What are they willing (or not) to do in order to succeed?

Essay Topic 2

Zola is quoted as saying, "I am little concerned with beauty or perfection. I don't care for the great centuries. All I care about is life, struggle, intensity. I am at ease in my generation," (My Hates, 1866.) How is this philosophy apparent in AU BONHEUR DES DAMES?

Essay Topic 3

The author uses some important instances of flashbacks in the story. Explain what a flashback is and cite at least two making sure to explain what makes each a flashback.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 841 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample