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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. Who is ultimately locked up in the sanitarium in this scene?

2. What does Dr. Lyman Sanderson claim about Veta Simmons' mental condition?

3. What is Myrtle Mae Simmons' attitude toward Elwood Dowd?

4. According to the dialogue in this scene between Veta SImmons and Ethel Chauvenet, do the two women see each other often?

5. What does Dr. William Chumley do to Dr. Lyman Sanderson when he finds out they admitted the wrong patient?

Short Essay Questions

1. Do you think that Ethel Chauvenet could see Harvey, given that he likes her very much?

2. Why is Veta Simmons trying to get accepted by the town's society folk?

3. Describe the nurse, Ruth Kelly.

4. Is the relationship between the nurse and Dr. Lyman Sanderson purely professional?

5. When Veta Simmons asks Elwood Dowd to wait for her in the parlor, what do you think she wants to talk to him about?

6. What does Dr. Lyman Sanderson think is best for Veta Simmons?

7. How does Elwood Dowd treat everyone on the sanitarium's staff?

8. Why do you think Elwood Dowd invites Mrs. Greenawalt, a telemarketer, to his sister's party?

9. What does Ruth Kelly fear about "accidentally" committing Elwood Dowd earlier that day instead of his "crazy" sister?

10. Why do you suppose Elwood Dowd insists on introducing Harvey to everyone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is it that finally makes Veta Simmons decide she is willing to accept Elwood Dowd just the way he is (Harvey and all)? Please explain your answers using the text where appropriate.

Essay Topic 2

There is a strong theme throughout this play that contrasts belief (i.e., holding to things that are difficult to prove scientifically) and our need as humans for empirical evidence (scientific proof of things that can be perceived with the five senses). Pick three situations from the play "Harvey" by Mary Chase and explain which characters tend toward belief and which are looking for evidence with regard to Harvey. Do some characters change positions? Why or why not? Do you think that the author supports belief or science more? Please support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Elwood Dowd's personality is a key component of this play, perhaps moreso than any other event that happens. He remains constant, no matter what is going on around him. What is Elwood Dowd's personality like? Do you attribute his state of mind to being apathetic or ambivalent to the people in his life or his surroundings? Why or why not? Has he truly discovered something that the other characters don't know? If so, what is it? Please provide support from the text.

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