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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. To whom does Reuben propose?

2. What does Aunt Ada Doom keep thinking?

3. What does Flora think is going on with Richard's mother?

4. To whom does Flora compare favorably to Mr. Mybug?

5. How will the nest with four pink eggs help Elfine?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What fairy tale does Elfine's debut at the dance seem most like?

5. How is Aunt Ada Doom's manipulative efforts symbolic of the change that is occurring to the Starkadder clan?

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

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

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

9. What is the significance of the sukebind?

10. What might be the symbolizes of the lights being on when Seth, Elfine and Flora return to Cold Comfort Farm from the ball?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The characters are more important in this novel than the actual storyline. Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Compare and contrast Flora Poste from who she seems to be at the beginning of the novel versus who she is at the end of the novel.

2. Compare and contrast Seth and Reuben.

3. Compare and contrast Elfine and Miriam.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Flora Poste is introduced in Chapter 1 and appears in every subsequent chapter. She is the main character and protagonist of the novel. Discuss the following:

1. What is the definition of "protagonist" as it pertains to literary criticism?

2. Do you agree that Flora Poste is the protagonist of this novel? Why or why not? Give examples from the text.

3. Do you think Flora is a sympathetic character? At the beginning of the book? By the end of the book? Give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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