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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Jon call Elaine?

2. How does Josef begin to treat Elaine?

3. When Cordelia was young, what did she drink to avoid school?

4. What was the purpose of the beautiful and meaningful Virgin Mary statue Elaine saw?

5. Where does Elaine go to, instead of going to the gallery to see if things are running smoothly?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Elaine is drawn to religion but also rejects it. Discuss the importance and meaning of religion in the novel.

1) What is Grace's mother's attitude to religion? How do her values affect her children?

2) Why does Elaine choose hell over forgiving Grace's mother? How does she perceive God? Why does she seek out different churches as an adult?

3) Why does Elaine embrace the Virgin Mary as an alternative to God? What does the Virgin Mary that Elaine visits in Mexico mean to her?

4) What is the meaning of Elaine's vision of the Virgin Mary when she is in the icy ravine?

Essay Topic 2

Emotional pain in the novel is often linked to physical pain. Discuss the relationship of physical and emotional pain in the novel.

1) Why does Elaine injure her fingers and feet? How is her physical pain linked to emotional pain?

2) Discuss Elaine's experience of physical and emotional pain in times of crisis, such as when she is trapped in the ravine and when she is left in the dark hole.

Essay Topic 3

Elaine often feels herself growing stronger or weaker, empowered or powerless. Discuss the importance of power in the novel.

1) When is Elaine powerful, and when does she feel powerless? What gives Elaine power in the course of the novel?

2) How do Elaine and Cordelia use power over others?

3) What power does Elaine's art give her? Does Elaine recognize the power of her art?

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This section contains 362 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample