View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where did the Captain's experience described in Chapter 5 take place?

2. What does the narrator say about Mrs. Todd's way of talking about Captain Littlepage?

3. How would you characterize William's demeanor?

4. Why did the Captain leave his position as Commander?

5. What does the narrator conclude based on Mrs. Todd's revelation?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the new impression the narrator gains of Captain Littlepage during his visit to the schoolhouse?

2. What role do the furnishings in Elijah Tilley's house play in Chapter 20?

3. Choose one place described in the novel and describe its significance to the story.

4. Describe the way Mrs. Todd reacts to the narrator's leaving.

5. During their visit to Mrs. Blackett's, Mrs. Todd and the narrator talk about love. What does Mrs. Todd's love story say about her character?

6. Describe Elijah's feelings for his late wife.

7. Elijah Tilley's character provides a number of surprises for the narrator. What are they?

8. How does the narrator react to the funeral procession?

9. Using all of the information given in the story, describe how the townspeople feel about Joanna.

10. Describe the scenery at the Bowden family's feast.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain how the author uses the Bowden family reunion to illustrate the importance of family to the people of New England.

Essay Topic 2

When Captain Littlepage comes to visit the narrator in the schoolhouse, remember that Captain Littlepage is seated at one of the pupils' benches and the narrator is seated at the teacher's desk. Discuss the symbolism of the spacial arrangement in this scene. How does this symbolism relate to the discussion Captain Littlepage and the narrator have of life after death? What else might it signify about their relationship to one another?

Essay Topic 3

During her visit to Elijah's Tilley's home, the narrator says, "the old widower sat with his head bowed over his knitting, as if he were hastily shortening the very thread of time." How does this quote relate in general to Elijah and the novel's theme of impermanence?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,250 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample