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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. Who despise(s) Poppas?

2. What is Carrie's private thought about Horace's support of Cressida?

3. From where is Cressida's family originally?

4. Who does Cressida hope Carrie meets?

5. Cressida's relationship with Poppas had potential for _______________.

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Carrie evaluate Jerome's effect on Cressida? Carrie uses the word "rapacious" to describe his actions, what does this word mean in the context of Jerome Brown as a financier?

2. Why does Cressida wait to travel alone on the Titanic instead of leaving London a week earlier with Horace and Poppas?

3. Briefly describe Carrie's initial meeting with Bouchalka at Cressida's home on Sunday.

4. What might give the reader an indication of the depth of friendship between Carrie and Cressida?

5. What is an indication that Cressida is not so star struck over her own fame that she pays attention to others, when those who are poor and not well known?

6. Describe how the conversation between Cressida and Carrie lapses into a bit of melancholy.

7. In what ways does Cressida again show her compassion and helps Bouchalka? How might this affect Bouchalka in the long run?

8. Why do you think the sisters seem to tolerate Poppas?

9. What are signs that Bouchalka may not be quite as dedicated a musician as Cressida believes.

10. When Carrie mentions Cressida's engagement, what is Cressida's response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The story opens with Cressida on an ocean voyage and ends with her death also while on an ocean voyage. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using detailed examples from the book and from your own life experience:

1. Why do you think Ms Cather chooses to frame or book end the story with ocean voyages?

2. Compare and contrast the two ocean voyages and possible symbolic meanings of each.

3. Do you think it appropriate that Cressida dies on the Titanic? Why or Why not?

Essay Topic 2

The narrator, Carrie, is also one of the executors of Cressida's will. She describes a series of letters which Cressida's family produces to argue that Poppas should not receive his 50,000 dollar bequest. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using detailed examples from the book and from your own life experience:

1. Describe the content of each letter mentioned.

2. If you were Carrie, what would you think of these letters?

3. Would you feel the letters justifies not awarding the bequest to Poppas?

4. Would you want others to see letters such as these that were about you and your relationship to a generous relative?

Essay Topic 3

Another aspect of art which Cather seems to explore is the idea of art for art's sake versus producing art as a means of earning a living. Choose one of the following topics and write a well-developed essay using detailed examples from the book and from your own life experience:

1. Should artists have to worry about earning a living or should they receive some sort of stipend out of public funding? Discuss your ideas fully.

2. Discuss the patronage system that has existed in the art world for centuries. Include a discussion of several famous artists who were only able to produce their art because a wealthy patron took care of their day-to-day necessities.

3. In the 21st century, many cultures subsidize artists so they can produce art without worrying about things such as food and shelter. If all artists had to make a living with their art, what sort of impact would this have on culture? Would the quality of art improve or decline? What about the quantity?

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