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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 happens just as Lisbeth is about to set up her own business?

2. What does Lisbeth surmise as the cause of her admirer's failed suicide attempt?

3. What is Monsieur Crevel doing while waiting for the Baroness to enter the sitting room?

4. Who arranges for Wenceslas to be released from prison?

5. What name does Monsieur Crevel give to the modern parable of Monsieur Hulot and his family?

Short Essay Questions

1. With whom does Lisbeth discuss the Baron's fascination with Valerie Marneffe? According to Lisbeth, what has Baron Hulot done to win her favor?

2. Whom does Wenceslas see when he returns home? Whom does he say has purchased his bronze group and offered him work?

3. What proof does Lisbeth provide of the existence of her admirer? What does she receive from Hortense in exchange for this information?

4. Who arranges for Wenceslas to be released from prison? How does Wenceslas find out this information?

5. What does Lisbeth advise Wenceslas to do after the visit from Monsieur Grasset and what reason does she give for this? What does she promise to do?

6. Who is Valerie Marneffe's father? Why does she inherit nothing upon his death?

7. Where does the Baron go after he finds the opera to be closed? What does he learn when he arrives there?

8. What does Lisbeth tell Hortense and Adeline has happened to Wenceslas? How does Hortense react? How is Bette's lie discovered?

9. After Wenceslas sells his bronze group, who comes to visit Lisbeth at her flat? What is the purpose of this visit?

10. What solution does Monsieur Crevel propose to the Baroness for the problem of Hortense's dowry? What other options does he tell her she has available to her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the relationship between Lisbeth and Valerie Marneffe? Using three examples from the novel, explain how Valerie and Lisbeth's relationship developed over time. Do the two women really care for one another or are they united by malice and spite only? Give details from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

How are both internal and external conflicts manifested in the novel? Choose an example of each type and analyze the significance of each as an element of the plot of Cousin Bette. How do these conflicts contribute to the overall message of the text?

Essay Topic 3

What elements of Cousin Bette characterize this work as a Realist novel? How does this work exemplify literary realism? Give two specific examples from the text.

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