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

2. What does Big Mama think Big Daddy's disease is?

3. What does the doctor intend to tell Big Mama tonight?

4. What event is to occur at the Pollitt plantation that evening?

5. What is Big Daddy's perception of Gooper and Mae's brood?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What are Maggie's thoughts about Big Daddy's birthday which will be his last?

3. What is Big Mama's reason for abruptly entering Brick and Maggie's bedroom?

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

5. What is the irony of Brick's hatred of mendacity in others?

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

7. How does Brick explain his alcohol abuse to Big Daddy?

8. Describe Big Mama.

9. How does Brick make Big Daddy face the truth about his own life?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the symbolism of fatal illnesses related to deception for both Big Daddy and Brick. How does deception serve as a tool for one and a destroyer for the other?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the overall setting for the play. Why does Williams use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 3

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

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