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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. Where does this scene take place?

2. Who comes to the house, asking about Veta Simmons?

3. Who seems most concerned about the character that's gone missing at the outset of the scene?

4. What does Veta Simmons tell Dr. William Chumley about her brother, Elwood Dowd?

5. According to Elwood Dowd's story, after Dr. William Chumley was through with his argument he ______________.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Elwood Dowd's reaction to the parcel brought out by Myrtle Mae Simmons?

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

4. Which other characters do you think are starting to believe in Harvey by the end of this scene? Why do they do this?

5. Who enters the sanitarium toward the end of this scene? What is this person's emotional state?

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

7. What does Ruth Kelly find out when she calls Charlie's Place to verify Elwood Dowd's story?

8. How does Dr. Lyman Sanderson try to psychoanalyze Elwood Dowd's relationship with Harvey?

9. How does Dr. William Chumley get escorted out of Charlie's Place, according to Elwood Dowd?

10. In one or two sentences, describe how the evening's events transpired, according to Elwood Dowd.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Why is the potential relationship between Myrtle Mae Simmons and Wilson so ironic? Why does Veta Simmons react in the way that she does to the thought of her daughter dating Wilson? Please provide examples from the text where appropriate.

Essay Topic 3

Given the way in which the play ends and the final attitudes of the characters, do you believe that, within the context of the story, Harvey was a real entity? Why or why not? Does Harvey have to be real in order for the play to be effective? Why or why not? Please provide examples from the text to support your position.

(see the answer keys)

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