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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. Who decorates the farm?

2. What does Aunt Ada Doom keep thinking?

3. What does Aunt Ada Doom out the window?

4. From where does Flora think there will be opposition to Elfine's choice?

5. Who is next on Flora's agenda to be fixed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do you think it says about Dick that he has decided to ask Elfine to marry him after she has made herself gorgeous?

2. What do you think is the symbolic meaning of Flora having the sukebind removed?

3. What is the significance of the sukebind?

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

5. What is Flora's next tidying-up project and how does she start it?

6. What is ironic about the scene with Urk and Miriam?

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

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

9. What does Harkaway tell Flora and what is her response?

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

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 four, rural suspicion and urban sophistication collide as Flora arrives on the farm. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare and contrast the rural elements of the novel to the urban sophistication of Flora and her friends.

2. Discuss the ways Flora gradually gets most of the Starkadder's to trust her and to lay aside their suspicion.

3. Which characters are most likely to discard their rural mannerisms and become more a part of urbanity? Which are least likely? Give examples.

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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