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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. How is Elfine's entrance onto the ballroom floor?

2. What does Aunt Ada Doom out the window?

3. Of what does the atmosphere in the family gathering remind Flora?

4. Who arrives at Cold Comfort Farm?

5. Who plans to motor down to Cold Comfort Farm in the next couple days?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Flora give Elfine to help her and do you think it will?

2. Describe Aunt Ada Doom's appearance and behavior in the downstairs when Flora and the others walk in after the ball.

3. How do you think the situation with Flora and the bull is symbolic of Flora with the lives of the Starkadders?

4. What convinces Flora that there is more to Seth than meets the eye and what does it seem she will do about him?

5. Do you think Aunt Ada Doom is "doomed" to misery?

6. How are Seth's life and Elfine's life similar?

7. What is the significance of the sukebind?

8. Whose perspective does chapter 14 begin with and what may it portend?

9. What actually produces an emotional response from Flora (as opposed to her usual practical nature) and how does Flora deal with the situation?

10. What does Aunt Ada Doom want on the morning of Elfine's wedding and what might her request symbolize?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Comedy is often a part of a parody or satire. Chapter 8 is probably one of the most comedic scenes in the novel. Discuss the following:

1. Who is the Church of the Quivering Brethren? Do you think this church is parodying a "real-life" religion? Which one(s)? Why? Give examples.

2. What does the scene in the church add to the parody as a whole? Is this scene necessary to the storyline? Why or why not?

3. Why do you think comedy often is an integral part of a parody or satire? What purpose does it serve? Is the comedic scene at the Church of the Quivering Brethren successful as comedy? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 11, we first see the idea of the Pygmalion effect (or the Rosenthal effect). Discuss the following?

1. Who is Pygmalion in Greek Legend?

2. What is the Pygmalion effect (or sometimes called the Rosenthal effect)? What does this psychological phenomenon have to do with the Pygmalion of Greek myth?

3. Discuss Seth and Elfine and how the Pygmalion effect is relevant to their lives.

Essay Topic 3

Just as COLD COMFORT FARM is a parody of naturalistic literature, so Mr. "Mybug" (Meyerburg) is a parody of the smug literary writer. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss Mr. "Mybug's" character fully. Is he a likeable character? A sympathetic character? Does he change?

2. How do you think Meyerburg's discussion of sexuality in nature adds to the novel as a parody of naturalism in literature? Discuss specific examples.

3. What do you think of Mr. Meyerburg's thesis about Branwell Bronte? Do you think there is any validity to his assertions? Why or why not? (This may require a little research into the Bronte family).

4. Does Meyerburg's literary aspirations create more or less respect for him as a character? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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