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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. According to Elwood Dowd, people around town tell him about their _______________ each night.

2. Where does Dr. Lyman Sanderson claim to have seen Ruth Kelly last Saturday?

3. In this scene, Dr. William Chumley and Judge Gaffney visit whom upstairs in the Dowd mansion?

4. How does Judge Gaffney feel about Elwood Dowd being locked up in the sanitarium?

5. What does Dr. William Chumley want to know about Elwood Dowd?

Short Essay Questions

1. What becomes clear about Elwood Dowd in this scene?

2. What is Veta Simmons' reasoning for why she was committed instead of Elwood Dowd?

3. Why is Veta Simmons speech about the importance of art significant, if at all?

4. According to Elwood Dowd, how did Harvey get his name?

5. What tactic does Dr. William Chumley use to get Elwood Dowd to return home again? Is it successful?

6. In his phone conversation home in this scene, what does Elwood Dowd want to know?

7. Why does Elwood Dowd enter the sanitarium with flowers for Ruth Kelly?

8. With whom does Elwood Dowd speak to on the phone when he arrives home and what does he talk about?

9. Why is Myrtle Mae Simmons surprised when Judge Gaffney arrives at the Dowd home?

10. While Veta Simmons and Dr. William Chumley are arguing, what happens?

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

Assuming that Harvey is real, as Elwood Dowd says he is, it creates an interesting theme in the play regarding how those with special knowledge (like Elwood Dowd) are treated by those without it (the rest of the characters). Looking at how the characters interact through this perspective, why do the other people in Elwood Dowd's life treat him the way they do? Are they feeling jealous, frightened, inadequate, or something else? Please support your positions from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the play, Myrtle May Simmons' attitudes toward her uncle are sour and don't change much. How is this character used throughout the story, especially in light of the changes we see in virtually every other character? What aspect of humanity at large does her character represent? Please provide support from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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