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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Elaine's mother talk about?

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

3. What color dress does Elaine wear for the gallery opening?

4. What time of year is it when Elaine has her art retrospective?

5. How does Cordelia feel when Elaine insults her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many instances of theft and begging in the novel. Discuss the significance of theft and begging to the novel.

1) Why does Elaine think of Cordelia when someone tries to steal her wallet? In what way has Cordelia stolen from her?

2) Why does Elaine always give to people who beg from her? Why does Elaine think one woman who comes to beg from her might be Cordelia?

3) Who has stolen or taken (emotionally) from Elaine during her life? Is Elaine partially responsible for these instances?

Essay Topic 2

Elaine thinks about suicide and also tries to kill herself in the novel, just as Cordelia tries to kill herself. Discuss the role of suicide in the novel.

1) How do Elaine's thoughts of suicide when she is a young girl affect her? Where do they come from?

2) Why does Elaine try to kill herself when she's married to Jon? Why does she lie about her suicide attempt?

3) Why does Cordelia try to kill herself? Compare Cordelia's suicide attempt to Elaine's suicide attempt.

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 335 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample