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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. What is Marie doing as Act 1, Scene 1 opens?

2. Who is Lola?

3. Why is Doc perturbed when he sees Turk in his living room?

4. What are Doc's plans for tonight?

5. Marie makes fun of Lola's ______________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the symbolism of the fading lilacs and Lola's fading youth.

2. What negative comment does Marie make about the bouquet of lilacs?

3. What irrational behavior does Doc exhibit in his rage toward Lola?

4. How does Doc approach Lola on the issue of the opened telegram?

5. What lie does Lola tell about why Doc cannot be home for dinner?

6. What does Lola realize about Doc when he sneaks back into the house?

7. What does Lola's dream symbolize?

8. What makes Mrs. Coffman come running into Lola's house?

9. What is the irony of Doc's being taken to the hospital for his alcohol abuse problem?

10. How does Lola try to make the evening as nice as possible for Marie and Bruce?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The play seems to come full circle from Lola calling out for Little Sheba and then finally realizing that Little Sheba is not going to return. Do you think Lola is really satisfied in her own mind? Or is she just temporarily pacifying Doc? Explain your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the role of married women in the 1950s when the women in the novel are living their married lives. What precedents do they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions do the have? What freedoms did they enjoy that 21st century women do not?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the overall setting for the play. Why does Inge use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

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