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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Weston find in Act Two?

2. Why does Ellis come to the house?

3. According to Weston, having Wesley around is like having what around?

4. What is Ella carrying, when she enters in Act Two?

5. What does Weston think scares Wesley?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In examining the Tate family throughout the play, Emma seems more similar to Weston, her father, and Wesley seems more like Ella, his mother. Describe how Emma and Weston are similar and how Wesley and Ella are similar. Are these similarities expected? How does each relationship influence the plot of the play? Use specific examples in the response.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the meaning of the title, "Curse of the Starving Class". How is the title relevant to the story's plot? What predictions can the reader make previous to reading the play based on the title? What deeper meaning does the title assume? Use specific examples from the play in the response.

Essay Topic 3

Sam Shepard's play, "Curse of the Starving Class" emphasizes the family dynamics of the main characters. Describe the family dynamics between Weston, Ella, Emma and Wesley. How does each relate to the others? What problems does the family experience? What joys and accomplishments do the family acknowledge and celebrate? How does an outside person describe the family? Use specific examples from the text in the response.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 284 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample