View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What possession of Portia's does Anna find in chapter 1?

2. How does Mrs. Heccomb know Anna?

3. What are Eddie and Portia doing in the beginning of part 1, chapter 8?

4. Why does Daphne feel grumpy around Portia?

5. Where does Thomas work?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Matchett feel about Mrs. Quayne?

2. What does Portia leave behind at Eddie's?

3. How did Eddie get a position working for Thomas?

4. What does St. Quentin tell Portia about friendship?

5. What is contained in the letter Anna writes to Eddie?

6. How does Major Brutt respond when Portia asks him if he would marry her?

7. What is the conversation that Portia has with Thomas in chapter 9?

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

9. Why is Portia staying with Anna and Thomas?

10. Eddie tells Portia that he will always love her, but under what conditions?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In what ways did Portia's trip to Waikiki influence her? Were the resulting changes good or bad? How was she different after returning home? Were the results of her new behaviors positive or negative? Was she better off, having had that experience? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Portia has many weaknesses; her insecurity, her eerie silence, et cetera. Choose one of these weaknesses, and examine how it might have contributed to her poor relationship with Eddie. After the relationship with Eddie came to an end, was this facet of her character improved, or worsened? Why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Portia's diary is a very important plot point. How did it tie the major characters together? What effect did it have on Portia's development into a woman? What problems did it cause with the people around Portia? Why do you think Bowen chose to use Portia's diary as one of the most important objects in the novel? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 740 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample