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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. How does Artie feel about the outcome of her pregnancy?

2. When Dorothea changed her granddaughter's name, Echo was ___________.

3. Dorothea tries to _________________________ Artie.

4. Who does Dorothea meet at the picnic?

5. After the picnic, what does Dorothea decide she should become?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Artie feel that she was Dorothea's guinea pig as she grew up?

2. Why is it ironic that Artie constantly drills spelling words to Echo?

3. Why do you think Dorothea felt little or no grief when her husband died?

4. How does Dorothea force her value of education over motherhood on Artie?

5. Why does Dorothea decide to take on a life of eccentricity?

6. What is the primary complication between the Westbrook women in this play?

7. Does Artie ever rebel from Dorothea?

8. What do you think the author's purpose was in having Echo spelling heard between Dorothea's recollections?

9. In scene 1, Dorothea has had a stroke and is rendered mute. Why do you think Echo insists she can hear Dorothea?

10. How is Dorothea's educational treatment of Echo similar to how she raised Artie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dorothea gives her daughter and granddaughter very meaningful names: Artie (Artemis) and Echo. Dorothea explains her reasoning behind Echo's naming in the play. Artie is named after Artemis, a Greco-Roman huntress who was known for her ruthlessness and solitariness. Discuss how the characters' names fit their personalities. Give examples from the text to support your thoughts.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Echo's treatment of the little boy at the spelling bee. Why does Echo act so cruelly, which is seemingly out of character for her?

Essay Topic 3

The homemade wings reappear throughout the play and have importance and meaning for the characters. Discuss the wings from each of the character's perspective.

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