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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 long had the Wilsons been in Little Wesley in Part II?

2. What is one thing Melinda likes doing for others, in Vic's opinion?

3. Who does some janitorial and courier work for Vic?

4. What does Melinda suffer from at the Cowans' party?

5. What does Vic end up getting for Ralph after Ralph wakes up from a night of drinking?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Part II, what shatters the rumor Vic told about himself?

2. What does Vic tell Mr. Nash in Part I that alarms Nash?

3. What is Horace Meller's attitude to the rumor Vic spread about himself?

4. What does Melinda ask De Lisle to help her learn?

5. Who does Vic dance with at the party in Part II, and why?

6. What does Vic often do for Melinda when she is drunk and it is very early in the morning?

7. Why does Vic choose not to dance?

8. Why does Vic want to toy with Mr. Nash in Part I?

9. What kind of employee is Stephen Hines?

10. What is the difference between how Vic and Melinda treat their daughter Trixie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does Vic shower Melinda so extravagantly with gifts for her birthday, and how does she react to this display of affection? What does highsmith use the episode reveal about their relationship? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Why is Melinda so convinced that Vic really did kill De Lisle, but no one else in town thinks this is the case? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

How does Highsmith describe the general social atmosphere of the Van Allens' town, Little Wesley? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 546 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample