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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 confesses the truth about the broken dish?

2. After the accident, the town ___________________________________.

3. What solution does Mattie propose to their situation?

4. Ethan perceives Zeena's tone as __________________________.

5. For Ethan, Zeena personifies ______________________________-.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Zeena's true purpose in hiring a girl to take care of her and their home?

2. What prevents Jotham from staying for dinner as he usually does, and why does this bother Ethan?

3. How do Zeena and Mattie get along after the accident?

4. Why is Ethan ashamed of his and Zeena's behavior in their room?

5. How is Ethan once again annoyed by Denis Eady in Chapter 6?

6. What inspires Ethan to try to leave Zeena?

7. What generally happens when Ethan tries to be dishonest?

8. Why does Ruth Hale believe Ethan Frome suffers so badly?

9. How does Ethan's perception of Zeena change during their argument?

10. Describe Mattie as the narrator sees her.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Considering the images of small town life Wharton creates in Ethan Frome, write an essay in which you argue for or against the promises and limitations of small town life exhibited in Starkfield. Use at least three characters or events as examples for your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Considering the author's use of irony in the novel, write an essay in which you argue for or against its effectiveness in revealing the message. Use specific examples of irony from the text as support, and evaluate the success or failure of each one in contributing to the message of the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Hal Borland said, "No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn." Consdering this quote, write an essay in which you argue whether or not Ethan's symbolic "winter" has lasted forever, or whether spring has come to him in any way. Use specific examples to support your text.

(see the answer keys)

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