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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. With whom does Elwood Dowd consult about a potential dinner with Ethel Chauvenet?

2. What does Betty Chumley tell the sanitarium staff about Harvey?

3. Throughout the dialogue between Myrtle Mae Simmons and her mother, what do we learn about their attitude towards Elwood Dowd?

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

5. What words appear at the bottom of the page that Wilson is reading when the scene ends?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. According to Veta Simmons, to whom did her mother leave everything, including the mansion?

3. Describe the nurse, Ruth Kelly.

4. What does Elwood Dowd keep trying to do over and over again, only to be interrupted?

5. Why does Ethel Chauvenet react the way she does when introduced to Harvey?

6. What do we learn about Elwood Dowd in this first scene of the play?

7. What does Veta Simmons tell Dr. Lyman Sanderson that makes him think she's the crazy one?

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

9. How do Ruth Kelly and Dr. Lyman Sanderson interact throughout this scene? What does this reveal about their relationship.

10. Describe Elwood Dowd's feelings toward Ruth Kelly.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the significance of the strong presence of alcohol in Elwood Dowd's life? How do you think this would affect other people's acceptance of Harvey, given that Elwood Dowd drinks a lot? Is it important that the first "outside" person that actually interacts with Harvey is William Chumley, who goes out drinking with Elwood Dowd? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Given the bits of dialogue and sporadic moments of "belief" from Veta Simmons, do you think she has ever really seen Harvey or not? Please support your thesis with reasons based on the text. If she had seen Harvey, why does she wish Elwood Dowd to not see the creature?

Essay Topic 3

By Act 1, Scene 2, we have some indications that Harvey may not be a figment of Elwood Dowd's imagination. Select two other characters from the play who also have some level of interaction with Harvey (seeing, hearing, etc.) and explain why this is significant within the context of the play. How do each of these characters react to learning about Harvey? Do you think they accept their newly-revealed knowledge or not?

(see the answer keys)

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