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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 was "The Big Blonde" referred to in the literary world?

2. What was Dorothy known for in the Gonk?

3. What did the editor think of Dorothy's request for a job at Vanity Fair magazine?

4. Who came up with the idea of an exclusive lunch club?

5. What style of writing did Dorothy start to exhibit after 1923?

Short Essay Questions

1. During the year between 1923 and 1924, Dorothy moves to the Algonquin. What about hotel living appealed to Dorothy?

2. What trait did Dorothy discover and master during 1924 that was a result of her time with Maggie Swope?

3. Because she didn't like her step-mother and wasn't satisfied with her life, what did Dorothy do that caused her torment for the rest of her life?

4. In 1916, Dorothy met Eddie Parker. What happened when Eddie took Dorothy to met his family? What happened after they meet Dorothy?

5. What did Dorothy and the other Round Table members do in the spring of 1922 that was different from their meetings and occasional poker games?

6. Dorothy's siblings had a profound effect on her and she admired them all in many ways, especially her sister. In what ways did Dorothy look up to Helen? What did this make Dorothy realize about herself?

7. How did Dorothy's new style of writing exemplify her lifestyle?

8. While living with Deems Taylor, Dorothy ran into Charles MacArthur. The meeting started out well then turned into an argument. What kind of an effect did this argument have on Dorothy?

9. Dorothy had a large extended family that played a large part in her demeanor and personality. How did she refer to these people?

10. What happened when Dorothy moved to Vanity Fair and Robert Benchley and Robert Sherwood moved into her office?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dorothy struggled with feeling accepted and cared for by a husband who was most frequently absent. How and where did she seek and receive the attention and affection she wasn't receiving from her husband? How did this effect her marriage and her relationships with those outside of where she found the support she so desired?

Essay Topic 2

Dorothy's novella, Big Blonde, was reportedly the best piece she ever wrote. It not only was the most autobiographical work that Dorothy ever wrote but its publication and the writing process was different for her. What about the novella was a turning point in her personal life and her career?

Essay Topic 3

Dorothy's friendship with Robert Benchley took on an even stronger stance during 1923 to 1924, what about their friendship was unique? In what ways was their friendship detrimental? In what ways did their friendship have a positive effect on Dorothy's life? What aspects of their friendship were consequential to Benchley's life?

(see the answer keys)

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