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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Elaine think Jon will react to her pregnancy?

2. What incident does Elaine claim not to remember?

3. How does Elaine describe herself in the eleventh grade?

4. How long ago did Stephen die?

5. What is malfunctioning in Elaine and Jon's apartment?

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

Describe the culture of women in the book.

1) How does Elaine perceive other girls when she is young, before she has girl friends, and what is her perception of her first girl friends?

2) How does the culture of women in the book differ from the culture of men? How is Elaine a different person with women than with men?

3) How does Elaine interact with women as an adult, and how does this relate to her early experiences with other girls?

Essay Topic 3

Elaine believes that she's good at leaving. Discuss the role of leaving in the novel.

1) How does Elaine separate herself from Cordelia and her other friends? What does leaving the situation involve, emotionally, for Elaine?

2) How and why does Elaine leave Josef and Jon? Compare Elaine's acts of leaving her lovers with leaving her former friends.

3) What other things does Elaine leave behind in the novel? When she leaves something behind, what parts of it does she still carry with her? Is leaving a good thing?

(see the answer keys)

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