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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. Ethan believes the elm ________________________________.

2. When the narrator arrives at Ethan's house he finds ___________________________________.

3. The sled allows Ethan a feeling of ________________.

4. Ethan knows he cannot leave Starkfield with Mattie because ________________________________________.

5. Later, Zeena insisted _____________________________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Who finally takes action to determine the outcome of Ethan and Mattie's situation?

2. Aside from Mattie, where does Ethan continue to find inspiration and beauty?

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

4. Why is Mattie forced to move her trunk by herself until Ethan comes to help her?

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

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

7. What is significant about Zeena's behavior that day?

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

9. Why doesn't Ethan feel he can refuse Zeena's demand to send Mattie away?

10. What clues does Ethan have that Zeena's return will not be a pleasant one?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In most of the chapters in the novel, Ethan's thoughts and actions are revealed through third person characterization. Considering the third person limited point of view, write an essay identifying Ethan Frome as either a sympathetic or an unsympathetic character, and discuss the influence of the narrator on Ethan's characterization.

Essay Topic 2

Martin Luther said that "Thoughts pay no duty." Considering the difference between Ethan Frome's thoughts and his many actions of duty performed in the novel, write an essay in which you defend, refute or qualify Luther's quote using Ethan Frome as support for your argument.

Essay Topic 3

How does the importance of duty and appearance affect the events and theme of Ethan Frome? Write an essay in which you choose three examples from the text that suggest an event or theme is affected by duty and appearance.

(see the answer keys)

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