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

Short Answer Questions

1. How do the family members act about the rest of Cressida's property?

2. About whom is the narrating talking at the beginning of Part 4?

3. To whom does Carrie write about the horrors of settling Cressida's will?

4. What does Cressida say she would have done about marrying her first husband had she known he would die so soon after?

5. In what ways does Cressida help Bouchalka?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Family relationships are a recurrent theme throughout this story. In Cressida's case, she seems to have a fairly parasitic relationship with her family members. 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. How much obligation does a person have to their parents? Siblings? Other family members? Explain your answers using specific examples.

2. For a child who is raised in an abusive home (whether sexual, verbal, or physical or some combination thereof), it seems that child as an adult often responds to his/her family in one of two ways: 1. S/he continues to try to "please" the abuser and others who allowed the abuse or (2.) They reject the abuser and those associated with the abuser and have nothing further to do with them. Are either of these responses healthy? How do you think you would respond? Explains in as far as you are comfortable. What is a possible compromise to these two extremes?

3. Why do you believe Cressida allows her family and husbands to take such outrageous advantage of her? Would you do so in her situation?

4. How would you treat your family members were you very wealthy if they were of the ilk that Cressida's family is? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Although the term "co-dependence" was not known at the time when Cressida was alive, it is a concept that has been in practice for centuries. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using detailed examples from the book and from your own life experience:

1. Define the term "co-dependence" as used in a therapeutic sense.

2. Choose several situations that are described in the book involving Cressida and her inner circle and discuss whether you think she makes wise and healthy choices--or co-dependent ones.

3. Are there any situations in your life that seem similar (perhaps on a smaller scale) to that of Cressida's life? After reading this story, does it motivate you to change any part of your own interactions with those who are close to you?

Essay Topic 3

While Carrie and Cressida are chatting, Cressida says, "'It may mean that I still belong to the future more than to

the past, do you think?'" Knowing that Cressida's future turns out to be a watery grave on the bottom of the ocean, this passage could be considered an example of irony. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using detailed examples from the book and from your own life experience:

1. Define the word irony and give examples of it from your own life.

2. How does the use of irony enhance this story and literature in general?

3. There is a literary term called "dramatic irony." Define this term and see if you can find any instances of it in this story. Can you name other books or movies where you have encountered a dramatic ironic situation?

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