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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 Mother do that embarrasses Alice when she visits her at the San?

2. How does Nonna react to the straw bag creations of Mother's?

3. What does Alice compare her mother's trip to the San to?

4. Who are the unreliables?

5. What is true about Father's death?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the Big House.

2. Is it good for Alice to spend time with Mother?

3. Does Alice want to be like her mother?

4. Why are the little gifts that Nonna gives to Alice important?

5. How would you describe Mother's relationships with men?

6. Explain the circumstances that lead to Alice becoming an orphan.

7. Why is Florida important to Alice?

8. How does Alice feel about going back to live with Mother after she is institutionalized and Alice moves in with Aunt Frances and Uncle Billy?

9. Describe Alice's friendship with Arthur.

10. Does Uncle Billy love Alice?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Father's vision of Florida as an escape and symbol of hope lives on through Alice and Mother long after his death.

1) Does Alice's vision of hope and paradise change as she gets older? Explain.

2) How do Mother's sun box and the San allow Mother and Alice to continue their Florida fantasy?

3) Why don't Mother or Alice actually ever go to Florida?

Essay Topic 2

Art is used many times in the novel, for a variety of purposes. For each instance listed below, explain it's significance to the novel and analyze the purpose the author intended.

Mother's straw box creations.

Father's poetry.

Uncle Billy's collections.

Alice's love of literature.

Mr. Early's love of poetry.

Nonna's valuable artwork.

Essay Topic 3

Alice and Mother are the most central characters of the novel.

1) Explain how the power of their shared names impacts both figures.

2) Who is more strongly affected by her own mother: Mother or Alice? Explain.

3) Is Mother or Alice a more generous person? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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