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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 happens between Ted and his nurse?

2. What makes William weak in the knees?

3. What does William think should be abolished?

4. What does William look forward to writing?

5. What does Ted publish?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Isabel Trafford.

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

3. Describe Isabel's work on Ted's behalf.

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

5. Describe Roy's relationship with the Traffords.

6. Describe Rosie's home and Rose herself.

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

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

9. What does William discover about Ted and his parties and how is this demonstrated by Isabel Trafford?

10. Describe the Driffields's neighborhood and home.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Cakes and Ale, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur. Did you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Cakes and Ale. How do you think Cakes and Ale be different if this were about the life of working class people rather than artists?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,256 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample