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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 did Major Brutt get to know Robert Pidgeon?

2. Who asks Major Brutt if he knows Robert Pidgeon?

3. When does Matchett come to wish Portia goodnight?

4. Whom does Anna run into as she is hailing a taxi?

5. What is the reason Thomas gives Anna for why he thinks Portia is upset in part 1, chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Thomas wonder when Major Brutt visits?

2. What does Anna think caused Portia to want not to come home?

3. What is Anna's relationship with Major Brutt?

4. What happens when Anna and Thomas come home from their trip?

5. What is the reason Matchett gives Portia for Anna's displeasure with her in chapter 2?

6. What do Portia and Lilian talk about during school lunch in chapter 4?

7. Why did Anna and Thomas decide not to have any children?

8. What happens when Portia comes home early unexpectedly?

9. What does Eddie tell Portia to do with her diary?

10. Why do Anna and Thomas decide to send Matchett to retrieve Portia?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Portia had many men in her life, all of whom influenced her in some way. Choose one of these men, who you think had the biggest influence on Portia's character and the course of her life. Why was this man so important? What did he teach Portia? Did his influence make her life better or worse? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Bowen utilizes many different literary devices throughout the course of the novel. Choose one of these devices, and examine Bowen's usage throughout the novel. How effective is Bowen's employment of this device? Are there any ways in which her usage of it could have been more effective? If so, how? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

An author's own convictions often shine through in his/her work. At what points in the novel do you think Bowen is voicing her own opinions? How does she accomplish this? How effective is she in masking her own feelings with the voices of her characters? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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