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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 Dolly want to give Catherine for her birthday in Chapter 1?

2. Who tells the narrator about the grass harp?

3. What is the name of the narrator's father?

4. In what state does the novel take place?

5. What is Riley hunting in the woods in Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the law get involved in the matter between Dolly and Verena?

2. What is the group's first interaction with Riley in Chapter 2?

3. What causes Verena's interest in the dropsy cure?

4. What does the Judge make of Dolly in Chapter 3?

5. What is the story behind Riley's parents?

6. Why is the narrator envious of Riley? What responsibilities does Riley have?

7. Describe the differences between Dolly and Verena's mannerisms and bedrooms.

8. What "secret" does Catherine reveal in Chapter 3?

9. What exposition is revealed about the Judge's education and marriage?

10. What happened to Riley's uncle?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of Alienation in The Grass Harp. Which characters manifest this theme? Why and how? How does the theme affect the action and events in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of "Growing Up" in The Grass Harp. How is this theme embodied symbolically? How is it embodied literally? How does this theme affect the characters in the story?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the Judge's metaphorical advice given to Riley in Chapter 3. What does the Judge say in literal terms? What is the meaning beneath it? How does it apply to other characters as well?

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