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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. To whom is Marlowe's book Fuckability Theory dedicated?

2. What implement does Dr. Ahmad use while he is planning Plum's various surgeries?

3. What is the name of the sitcom starring Marlowe that Plum says she used to watch as a little girl?

4. Which of Plum's post-weight-loss-surgery scars does Dr. Ahmad say will be the longest?

5. How many of the women affiliated with The Calliope House actually live there, including Plum?

Short Essay Questions

1. What personal advice does Julia offer to Plum during their conversation in Plum's bedroom and how does Plum react?

2. Describe the arc of Plum's writing career over the course of the novel.

3. Discuss Plum's comments about her ability to be "like the lilac negligee woman" (234) from the lingerie ads or like Leeta.

4. Who does Plum call when Verena tells Plum to call anyone who will notice she is missing once she moves into The Calliope House? What do her choices reveal about her life prior to connecting with the women of The Calliope House?

5. What is ironic about Kitty's insistence that "all girls are beautiful" (241)?

6. What is the author's purpose for including a call from the bariatric surgery office right after what Plum terms to be "a perfect trip to the mall" (237)?

7. What is the final step of the New Baptist Plan?

8. What is the author's purpose for including the reporter Cheryl Crane-Murphy's remark, "As a committed Christian, it pains me to admit that I feel nothing but glee at the death of these pigs" (155)?

9. What does Marlowe mean when she says that the day her show was canceled was the best day of her life?

10. How does the theme of misplaced female envy come into play within the author's depiction of Plum's dream about being skinny?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the novel Dietland from an Existential perspective. What elements of life does it suggest hold the most meaning and why?

Essay Topic 2

Write a critical essay about the novel while using the critical power theory lens of feminist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of gender roles, the objectification of women, the male gaze, misogyny's role within society, or any other issues related to feminist theory that can be found in the book.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author's use of humor alongside humanist messages within the novel.

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