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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 Mrs. Heccomb know Anna?

2. Why is Thomas surprised to see his visitor in part 1, chapter 7?

3. What film are Anna, Thomas, and Portia watching in part 1, chapter 3?

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

5. How does Daphne greet Portia?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Anna upset that Portia is missing her mother?

2. What happens when Portia comes home early unexpectedly?

3. What is Eddie's response when Portia asks if he and Anna are lovers?

4. Why does Portia have to go stay on the coast in spring?

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

6. What was Mr. Quayne's life like after he married Irene?

7. What is contained in the first three letters Portia receives from London?

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

9. How was Portia conceived?

10. How does Thomas react to Portia visiting him in his study?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bowen utilizes foreshadowing throughout the novel; for example, in the warnings Portia received from others regarding her relationship with Eddie. How effective is Bowen's use of foreshadowing? Are there any other literary devices that would have been as effective in these situations? If so, what are they? Was the foreshadowing too obvious, or was it an effective tool for storytelling? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Bowen ends the novel with a cliffhanger; what will happen to Portia, or any of the other characters never is really established. Why do you think Bowen chose to do so? How satisfying is this ending to the reader? Why? Would you have liked to see a stronger resolution? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters of Anna and Portia. What similarities do the two share? How are they different? Do you think it was their similarities or their differences that made their relationship with one another so difficult? Why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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