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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. Why is the inheritance such a critical factor now?

2. What does Maggie offer Brick as some relief from the summer heat?

3. Which one of Mae's children interrupts Brick and Maggie during their argument?

4. Who occupies the setting of the first act?

5. What is Maggie's purpose for entering the room?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how Maggie seizes the opportunity to take control of all the inheritance talk.

2. What is Big Daddy's experience with mendacity?

3. According to Maggie, what are Gooper and Mae's intentions regarding the family's inheritance?

4. What does Big Mama think is best for Big Daddy after this big day?

5. What medicinal precautions does Doctor Baugh take before leaving the Pollitt home?

6. In what ways does Big Daddy think Brick's drinking has negatively affected Brick's life?

7. What does Maggie say to Brick after everyone else has left their room?

8. What is the real truth about Big Daddy's health?

9. How does Williams use the literary technique of flashback in this act?

10. Maggie must change her dress which has been soiled by one of Gooper and Mae's children. What does Maggie think of the children and what does she call them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What position does Maggie take with the news of Big Daddy's terminal illness? Explain how she is both sentimental and realistic.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the role of married women in the 1950s, especially Maggie's frustration that Mae has five children and is pregnant again while Maggie remains childless.

Essay Topic 3

Why have Gooper and Mae foregone their normal hiatus to the Great Smoky Mountains this year? Why do they think it is a critical time for them to spend time at the Pollitt plantation?

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This section contains 810 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample