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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 does Sally ask Larry to do?

2. Larry recalls a particular morning in which month?

3. Larry says that people are made to _______________________________.

4. Why is Hallie feeling ashamed of herself?

5. How does Larry describe the foursome of the Langs and the Morgans?

Short Essay Questions

1. To what does Larry compare the drowning mouse he comes across while searching for Sid?

2. What happens to the relationship between the Morgans and the Langs during World War II?

3. What revelation does Sid share with Larry about his life?

4. How has the necessity for rescue changed between the two couples?

5. How does the author use the Adam and Eve metaphor to advance the plot?

6. How does the author extend the Adam and Eve metaphor in this chapter?

7. How is Charity able to assert some control over Larry's life while her own husband resists her attempts?

8. Explain the method that Sally has of categorizing her memories.

9. Although Larry and Sally never had the advantages or financial ease that Sid and Charity did, they seem to have a better marriage. Explain how the author reveals this.

10. How is Charity managing her illness?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain how Charity wants to model her marriage and household after her mother's style. What are some of Charity's expectations? What happens when the expectations fall short?

Essay Topic 2

The theme of rescue will be an important one in the novel. How does the author begin to build this theme? Give examples of rescues throughout the book.

Essay Topic 3

The author begins the story in the present day and tells the story through a series of flashbacks. Why did he choose to tell his story this way? In what way is a flashback technique more interesting for a reader? In what ways is it more complicated?

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