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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 Harriet daydreaming about in the first paragraph of The Gaudy Night?

2. What does Harriet read to Saint-George?

3. Who is missing from her room when the lights go out in Tudor?

4. Why does Mrs. Goodwin not return at the beginning of the summer term?

5. Where is Saint-George the second time Harriet sees him?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 2, what does Harriet talk about while having coffee with the Dean and her other classmates?

2. How have Harriet's classmates changed from when they graduated to when she saw them again at the unveiling of the clock?

3. What happens to Jukes in Chapter 9?

4. Why does Harriet find it difficult to write to Peter after visiting Saint-George in the hospital?

5. In the meeting that takes place during Chapter 5, why is it concluded that the culprit must be a resident at Oxford?

6. How do Harriet's classmates and former professors receive her?

7. Why does Miss Martin, Dean at Shrewsbury College, write a letter to Harriet in Chapter 4?

8. Harriet drives to Oxford to attend the opening of the new library and to investigate which incidents?

9. Why does Harriet offer to help Miss Lydgate with her proofs?

10. Describe Harriet and Peter's relationship from the time of Harriet's return from Europe to her weekend at the Gaudy.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Detective fiction usually involves a central character who solves the mystery. In the case of Gaudy Night, however, it is not Harriet but Peter who solves the mystery. Which one do you think is the main character of the book?

Essay Topic 2

During the Gaudy Night, Harriet starts having feelings for Peter. Highlight four important events in their relationship during the book's time period and explain how they contribute to Harriet's accepting Peter's final proposal.

Essay Topic 3

What is the "marriage question" that Harriet faces? How is it linked to the mystery Harriet solves? Does she answer it by the end of the book?

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This section contains 769 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample