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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. When Crevel goes to Valerie's flat the morning after his revelation to Hulot, whom does he find at the breakfast table with her?

2. What does Monsieur Crevel give Valerie in exchange for her company?

3. What solution does Bette offer first when Hortense explains her financial predicament?

4. Besides leading Wenceslas astray, for what other family disgrace is Baron Hulot responsible?

5. What complaint does Lisbeth have when the Baron goes to her flat looking for Valerie?

Short Essay Questions

1. What news is in the letter to Wenceslas from Valerie? What plan does she concoct for the interception of the letter and why?

2. What publication makes Lisbeth so happy? What event begins a chain of events that will end this happiness?

3. What solution does Bette give for Hortense and Wenceslas' money troubles? Why does Hortense object to this solution?

4. What problem with her husband does Valerie alert Hector to in a letter? What solution does she suggest to this predicament? How does Hector respond to this suggestion?

5. What does Adeline advise Hortense to do after her first quarrel with Wenceslas over Valerie Marneffe? What does Adeline reveal to her daughter about her own marriage?

6. What happens when Hector goes to visit Valerie after he receives her letter? How does he receive a message from her and what is communicated?

7. In whom does Hector confide his devastation about Valerie? What is this character's response?

8. In his letter to the Baron, what does Johann Fischer ask for? What is his plan if Hector cannot help him?

9. Whom does Hector ask to solve his compromising situation with the Marneffes? What does this character do to help the Baron?

10. How does Valerie use her pregnancy to benefit financially and socially? Which men are affected by this news?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of deception is highlighted throughout the novel Cousin Bette. Choose three examples of deception from the novel and analyze the events and characters to which they relate. What message about deception and truth is conveyed in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

How is literary allusion used in Cousin Bette? Choose two examples from the text. What is the significance of these allusions? What messages do they communicate and to what themes do they relate?

Essay Topic 3

At the end of the first part of Cousin Bette, the narrator compares the narrative to a classical tragedy. Use specific examples from the text to discuss which elements of classical tragedy are found in the novel and which elements are missing. In your opinion, can Cousin Bette be classified as a tragedy? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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