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

Short Answer Questions

1. In the play Cordelia is in, what is the cabbage supposed to be?

2. Is the art retrospective a success?

3. What old route does Elaine walk?

4. What artists are represented at Elaine's first art show?

5. What does Elaine feel like an expert at?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the trauma left by Elaine's abuse as a child.

1) How do Elaine's memories impact her life at the time of the retrospective? How do they impact her art and her perception of the world?

2) In what ways is Elaine trapped by the past? Why does she badly want an explanation from Cordelia?

3) Can Elaine be free of trauma from her past abuse? Is she free at the end of the book? How might her life change?

Essay Topic 2

The novel is full of imagery of sight, sound, and smell. Discuss the use of imagery in the book.

1) How does Elaine describe the city of Toronto? How do Elaine's descriptions reflect her feelings?

2) How does the imagery of Elaine's paintings relate to the novel and Elaine's life?

3) What imagery is associated with different periods in Elaine's life?

4) Discuss the imagery of blood in the novel. What does the blood from Elaine's self-mutilation symbolize? What about the blood of miscarriages, suicides, and the botched abortion?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the use of point of view in the book.

1) Why is this book told in the first person, from Elaine's point of view? How would it be different if it were told by a different narrator?

2) Does Elaine provide an accurate account of the world around her? How is her view of the world biased or flawed?

3) What would the reader gain from understanding Cordelia's perspective, or the perspective of another character?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 359 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample