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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 is Susanna's elder sister?

2. What does Artemisia say her father often does more than the work of painting?

3. Artemisia says she can cover the flaws in Orazio's talent but can do nothing for the flaws in what other area?

4. What makes Orazio angry when Artemisia tells him Tassi is looking into the Quirinal commission?

5. In which piazza is there an octagonal fountain that Artemisia likes?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Artemisia shut out the rest of the world and its distractions and problems?

2. Why does Tuzia agree to let Tassi ride in the carriage to mass with herself and Artemisia?

3. What does Artemisia's mother tell her to do when the world tells her not to be so outraged and to be kind, and to be a lady?

4. How does Orazio use Artemisia routinely for his work that makes Artemisia feel shame and revulsion?

5. What did Artemisia's mother most wish for for her in relation to the last baby she ever had?

6. In Part I, who does Orazio, Artemisia's father, not recognize in one of her paintings?

7. How does Artemisia feel when she cannot find her favorite palette knife in Part II?

8. How does Artemisia's mother begin her story to Artemisia about Susanna?

9. Why does Artemisia's father not object to the unusual situation of having a female apprentice?

10. What does Artemisia do when she needs a female model for her paintings?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does McCullough's choice to write this novel both from (primarily) the first-person point of view and in verse affect the reader's experience of the story? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

What does McCullough use onions to symbolize throughout the novel, and how does Artemisia feel about what the onions symbolize to her? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 3

How does Artemisia handle, and eventually seem to triumph over, the horrific injuries to her hands from her ordeal at the trial of her rapist? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 692 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample