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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Major Brutt tell Portia about getting her heart broken?

2. What is Anna's rationale for why she dislikes Portia so much?

3. Whom does Eddie flirt with at Bursely's party?

4. How does Major Brutt feel about Eddie?

5. How many letters does Portia receive in her first week at Waikiki?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the characters of Eddie and Robert Pidgeon. Why does Anna say that neither of them are particularly genuine men? What character flaws do they share? Are there differences between the two? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Examine the character of Matchett. What significance does she have in the novel as a whole? What is her influence on Portia? What sort of role does she play in Portia's life? Does she know Portia better simply because she knew her parents, or is there more to their relationship? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 359 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample