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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 is pitiable about sufferers?

2. In 'The Star,' where does the vampire say that vampires came from originally?

3. Why does the narrator not want to go to the party?

4. Where is the author the second time reality seems to fade?

5. How does she describe the world?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are the machines interested in the narrator?

2. In 'My Life' is the poet telling the truth about anything he says?

3. Why do you think Eddie Barrow lets himself be eaten in 'Feeders and Eaters'? Does he have a choice?

4. Describe the character of Harlequin.

5. What is the 'problem of Susan'?

6. Do you think Miss Corvier is supernatural or a normal but disturbed human?

7. How does Missy get the better of Harlequin?

8. Is 'In the End' a hopeful story or a sad one?

9. How does the father in 'Locks' interpret the story differently from his two-year-old child?

10. What kind of beings are Wain's Wain and the second girl whom Enn talks to?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of reality and fiction in these stories and poems. What are the differences between real life and stories? Why does the author keep returning to this theme?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of identity in 'October in the Chair,' 'The Facts in the Case of the Departure of Miss Finch,' 'Strange Little Girls,' and 'Harlequin Valentine.'

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of childhood innocence and growing up in two stories or poems of your choice from the collection. Compare the messages given by the author in each one.

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