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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 Materia cope with the death of her baby?

2. Who does Mercedes think visited her in the night, pressing dark fingerprints onto her forehead?

3. What does everyone in town believe Kathleen died from?

4. How old is Kathleen during her first singing recital?

5. Who found the dead baby and tried to resuscitate him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is James's job in battle, and how does he manage to survive?

2. What is significant about Daddy's position in the armchair in the photograph of him described in the novel's prologue?

3. What story does Frances tell Lily about the christening gown?

4. How does baby Ambrose die?

5. What film stars do the Piper girls idolize?

6. How does James react when Kathleen sneaks up behind him and strikes a chord while his is tuning a piano?

7. Why does Materia feel guilty about her expectations for James's future in the army?

8. What is James's reaction to the news that his wife Materia is dead?

9. What terrible decision is Materia forced into when she helps her daughter Kathleen give birth to twins?

10. What is the reaction to Kathleen's talent when she arrives in New York City?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One major theme of the novel is the parallels between the daughters' sexual awakenings. Choose two of the Piper daughters and describe their sexual awakenings. How old were they when they had their sexual awakenings? Did these experiences have a positive or negative effect on their lives? How did these awakenings come about? Then, explain what message you think MacDonald is sending to the reader about the sexual awakening of young girls. Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

The idea of demons and devils is ever present in the novel. First, describe James's demon. Where did the demon come from? What does it tempt him to do? How does James try to overcome his demon's power? Then, compare / contrast James's demon to Frances's devil. Where does Frances believe her devil came from? What does it tempt her to do? What do you think the presence of demons and devils symbolizes in the Piper family history? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout her life, Kathleen has nightmares about Pete the scarecrow. Describe at least two nightmares Kathleen has, and her reaction to these dreams. What do you think Pete symbolized in Kathleen's life? Describe the final nightmare Kathleen had about Pete, in the moments before she died. What is symbolic about this vision? In the moment of her death, do you think Kathleen finally understood what Pete the scarecrow meant? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

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