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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. How does Thérèse feel in her clothes?

2. Of what is Thérèse's bag full?

3. Why does Thérèse refuse to eat?

4. What happens when Léonie goes down to the cellar floor?

5. What do the girls bring up from the cellar?

Short Essay Questions

1. Briefly describe the scene about the broth and discuss its possible symbolism in the chapter "The Slotted Spoon."

2. How is the occupation of the Germans described in "The Carpets"?

3. What is the symbolism of Thérèse dumping Antoinette's letters into the stove to burn?

4. How is it intimated that parts of the house are "open," and other parts "secreted," just as the two girls are open in some ways and secretive in others?

5. What might the lava image which Thérèse images in "The Rosary," mean to Thérèse?

6. How is the dream connected to Léonie's dream in the first chapter?

7. What in "The Ivory Ring" chapter foreshadows Thérèse's despondency about her mother's death and her father transferring his affection to Madeleine?

8. How does Antoinette's wasted and emaciated body trigger feelings within Thérèse of her own body image as evidenced in the chapter "The Pillows"?

9. How is the relationship between Baptiste and Léonie developed in this chapter?

10. How does Léonie symbolically enter the adult world in the chapter titled "The Ironing Board"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapters 21 and 22 demonstrates the complexity of the Léonie and Thérèse's relationship when they are girls. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Does Léonie and Thérèse's relationship seem more positive when they were children than as adults? Why or why not? Be sure to give specific examples to illustrate your stance.

2. Does the difference in Léonie and Thérèse's relationship as children versus adults have anything to do with the nature of friendships between children versus that of adults and upon what each group bases their friendships? Discuss.

3. In several chapters, there is a sexual innuendo that seems to be a part of Léonie and Thérèse's relationship as children. Do you agree with that statement--cite examples to support your stance? Do you think it is common for children of either the same sex or opposite sex to experiment with sex? Does this have any long-lasting effect upon their sexual orientation as adults? Did it in the case of Léonie and Thérèse?

Essay Topic 2

Chapters 18 and 19 both obliquely refer to the rape of Antoinette by a German soldier during WWII. There are a number of references throughout the text that implies that Thérèse, and perhaps even Léonie is a product of this rape. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. List and discuss the references throughout the novel that suggests that Antoinette is raped by a German soldier. Include dreams, conversations, and any other sources. What is your interpretation of the textual evidence?

2. Discuss the references that suggest that Thérèse is a product of the rape. Are there references that imply that Léonie is not only Thérèse's sister, but her twin and is a product of the same rape? Find those references also. What do you believe about the parentage of the two girls? Support your statements with specific textual references.

3. Breasts are an obvious symbol of maternity in that women breastfeed their children. Discuss the implications of Antoinette's breast cancer and her role as a mother juxtaposed next to the fact that she is raped.

Essay Topic 3

The two main characters, Léonie and Thérèse, are cousins (or perhaps sisters), though, they are in some ways mirror opposites of each other...or are they. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. In what ways are Léonie and Thérèse complete opposites; give several examples and explain your choices.

2. In what ways are Léonie and Thérèse similar; give several examples and explain your choices.

3. Which cousin seems to be more "real"? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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