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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. What kind of party do the Cowans have in Part II?

2. What does Melinda often due to excess?

3. Who is the painter Melinda has an affair with?

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

5. Who is Vic's wife?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Vic's reputation in Little Wesley?

2. What had Vic hoped might change with his spreading a bad rumor about himself?

3. Who finds De Lisle's body and how does this person react?

4. What is the sleeping arrangement at Vic's and Melinda's house?

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

6. What does Vic think of Melinda's piano playing?

7. How does Vic kill De Lisle?

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

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

10. How does Vic feel during the costume party in Part II?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How would you describe Highsmith's tone and language throughout this novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Why does Vic begin telling people he murdered McRae, and how does his decision to do so affect the course of the plot? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Do you think Highsmith's ending - climaxing with Melinda Van Allen's murder by her husband, Vic - is believable and consistent with the rest of the novel? Write an essay explaining why or why not, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 475 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample