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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. The novel begins with the description of what?

2. What does Thérèse find when she goes to the clearing looking for Léonie?

3. What happens after Thérèse settles in to her new home?

4. Who chases Léonie?

5. Why has Thérèse come to the farmhouse?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the theme of social class appear in the chapter "The Sack"?

2. What do you think is symbolic about the dinner the two women share?

3. How do Therèse's actions in this chapter, "The Fish Kettle," foreshadow her decision to become a nun?

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

5. Who is Thérèse manipulating in the chapter, "The Dust," and why do you think she does this?

6. What scene in the chapter, "The Camp Bed," suggests that the personal dynamics of the household is about to change?

7. In the chapter, "The Holdall," how does what Léonie finds while going through Thérèse's things demonstrate the differences between the two women?

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. The burning of objects occur repeatedly throughout this novel, the first idea of this occurring in the chapter "The Altar." What do you think could be the symbolism behind the burning of various objects?

10. What is symbolized by Léonie's lying in the woods and undressing to have sex with Baptiste?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 15, we learn that the wood floors of the house are marked by the German soldiers' boots, and the original red tiles are permanently ruined, and Antoinette has had carpet put down to cover these marks. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. How are the floors symbolic of psychological scars and whose scars? Give details and examples.

2. There seems to be a general conspiracy to cover wounds of the past in this story. Who decides to figuratively pull the rugs out from under everyone's feet and reveal what is under them and why does she decide to do so?

3. Do you think it is healthy to "cover up" past scars so that one does not have to think about them? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 29, the differences between the English and French and the Roman Catholic religion and the Anglican religion are very visible. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. How different are the English from the French as suggested in this novel? Give specific examples.

2. Do you think there is such as big a difference in the culture of the two countries in the 21st century as in the time frame when the novel first opens (1950's)? Why or why not?

3. What are the major differences between the Roman Catholic Church beliefs and that of the Anglican Church? (You may have to do a little research).

Essay Topic 3

Dreams are detailed in several chapters of this work; two particularly long ones are in chapter 1 and chapter 47. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Describe several symbols in the dreams and their meaning.

2. What do you think is the purpose of using dreams in this novel?

3. How effective are the dreams at explaining the interior landscape of Thérèse and Léonie, since each character dreams one of the two significant dreams.

4. Do you find that dreams contribute to the meaning of this work? What about other literature or film that has one or more dream scenes?

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