View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does William know that Roy and Amy do not?

2. In what type of neighborhood do the Driffields reside?

3. Where do William and Rosie often go?

4. What is the landlady's strict policy about fire?

5. What happens to Kemp's business deal?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the motel in which William takes a room when he comes to share memories about Ted with Roy and Amy .

2. Why does Ted buy the house he buys and what does Amy do despite Ted fighting her about it?

3. Describe Isabel Trafford.

4. What does Rosie do at night while Ted writes?

5. What does William say about Rosie's affairs and what are Amy and Roy's response?

6. Describe Ted's response to the fact that Rosie leaves him.

7. What are a couple things William discovers about Rosie?

8. Who are a couple other regulars at the Driffields' parties?

9. Describe Roy's relationship with the Traffords.

10. What is said about Rosie as William, Amy and Roy look at photographs?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rosie Driffield is a person and idea that weaves itself throughout the entire narrative. One might even say that the book is about Rosie rather than Ted or any other character. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss Rosie's character. What are her strengths and weaknesses? Is she presented as a well-rounded or flat character? What is she passionate about? Is she passionate about anything? Is she honest and sincere? Is this a woman that men and maybe some women would die for? Why or why not?

2. Does Rosie change from when she is revealed as a young woman to when she is older and William writes about meeting her again in New York? How is she the same? How is she different?

3. Rosie ignores the rather strict conventions of her day for women. She neither feels bound by convention nor feels the need to flaunt her behavior. Research and state the beliefs about women and expectations of behavior for women of this late Victorian era. How does Rosie fit or break those beliefs/expectations? Give specific examples.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of manipulation and power in Cakes and Ale. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with manipulation and power? Why? What are some symbols of manipulation and power? What are symbols of powerlessness? What characters seem powerless?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of hypocrisy in Cakes and Ale. Which characters seem hypocritical? Why? Which characters seem sincere? Why Which ones seem not to care about looking good to others? What is the difference between how the two types live?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of psuedo-art. Which characters seem most engaged in producing "psuedo-art?" Which characters seem to produce art for art sake? Is either type of artist better than the other? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by this book. Questions that most likely Maugham wanted the readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the author's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Maugham's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,415 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample