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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. What mystifies the young William about Rosie after he hears her history?

2. What is Driffield awarded at a birthday celebration?

3. About what part of Ashenden's life does he reminisce?

4. Who cannot get William alone the last time he sees Ted?

5. How does Ashenden characterize Kear's early novels?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Roy Kear.

2. Describe Quinten Forde.

3. What does William express about the concept of beauty?

4. Who comes to see William off to the new school term and how does William act?

5. Briefly describe William's interaction with Ted and Rosie when he is a youth.

6. What are Roy and William doing and what topic does Roy bring up?

7. What happens when William finds Rosie at tea one evening and then after Rosie walks out the door?

8. Describe William's memory of the last time he saw Ted.

9. What does William offer out of his memories of Ted and how does Roy respond?

10. What does Amy Driffield ask of William?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

William Ashenden is the narrator of the novel, which Maugham chooses to write the novel from the first-person point of view. Discuss the following:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this novel being written in the first person?

2. Do you think the novel would be more effective in a different point of view? Which one if so? Why not if you think the first person works the best?

3. If the narrator is actually the author, much of what is written are real events witnessed by the author. Then does the first person make sense from that perspective? What if the book was truly fiction with no ties to "real" people, does the first-person point of view still seem like the best choice? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

Titles often reveal much about one or more aspects of a novel. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think is the purpose of a title? How closely related to a major theme(s) of a book do you think a title should be? Or should it be?

2. The phrase "Cakes and Ale" appears in both Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and Aesop's Fable The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. Research these two references and discuss the connection they may have to Maugham's book.

3. If you were the writer of Cake and Ale and your editor says the title must be changed, what would you choose? Why?

Essay Topic 3

In chapter 7, William wonders why the adult Driffields bother with a dull, quiet, and pretentious adolescent but they take him sailing and picnicking and William becomes passionate about rubbing brasses and occasionally spends time in the church yard talking with Rosie who treats him like a grown-up. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think William's aunt and uncle have a right to fear the influence of Ted and Rosie? Why or why not?

2. William says he becomes passionate about rubbing brasses, which is a pastime Ted introduces to William. What does this say about William's impressionistic nature? Is William easily influenced as a youth? What about as an adult when conferring with Amy and Roy?

3. Do you think having one or two adults outside the family involved in a young person's life makes a difference for that person? How? Is this a positive thing? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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