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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 does Eisengrim tell Boy that he called him during Eisengrim's days in Deptford?

2. Who shows up at Leona's funeral and remarks that it must be hard for Dunstan to lose her a second time?

3. Boy tells Eisengrim that he doesn't remember the Dempsters. What reason does Boy give?

4. Who does Dunstan believe is suffering most from the events of Christmas 1936?

5. What is the date and location the narrator gives for the writing of the story?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Boy Staunton make a fortune during the Depression?

2. Why is Dunstan deemed unacceptable to be Headmaster at the school by the Board?

3. When it becomes evident to Dunstan that Paul does not want him back stage, what does he do?

4. What does Boy do when he is appointed Minister of Food in the Cabinet?

5. What are the two things that Dunstan gets the Board to agree to instead of naming him Headmaster?

6. What memory has Boy suppressed from their childhood that shocks Dunstan when he learns Boy doesn't remember it?

7. Why does Mary Dempster meet Dunstan when he visits her with her coat and jacket on?

8. Why does Dunstan enjoy writing the autobiography of Magnus Eisengrim?

9. What does Dunstan think is suspicious about the way Leola died?

10. What are Paul's hopes for the show after Mexico?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Liesl calls Dunstan one of the "twice-born." What does this mean? Do you agree or disagree with Liesl's characterization of Dunstan? Please support your answer with examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Using examples from the book, what misperceptions did the villagers of Deptford have about Mrs. Dempster that caused them to label her a fool? What ideas and actions did the villagers value that Mrs. Dempster appeared not to value? Why did Mrs. Dempster hold different values?

Essay Topic 3

If you had to pick one theme that is present throughout the book, what theme would that be? Support your reasoning with examples from the book.

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