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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 color are the houses that the men see?

2. Where did the author live with her second husband for twenty-two years?

3. Based on the men's comments in Chapter 5, what do women believe is a problem where the men come from?

4. How did the author of "Herland" die?

5. Who did the author's ex-husband remarry?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Gilman take her own life?

2. As time goes on, how do the men come to feel about their tutors?

3. What punishment do the men receive for their escape attempt?

4. What does Vandyke lament at the beginning of the story? Why does Vandyck refuse to reveal the location of the country he speaks of?

5. What impresses Jeff after he has awoken in Chapter 3?

6. What was the theme of Gilman's work, "The Yellow Wallpaper"?

7. What is awaiting the men when they awake and leave their room in Chapter 3?

8. What does Somel explain about animals in her country?

9. What do the men think of the games that the guards play?

10. What is Social Darwinism?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the novel's conclusion. What happens at the end of the novel? Is the ending surprising? What happens to the central characters? Are there any unanswered questions?

Essay Topic 2

What is Social Darwinism? Did Gilman believe in Social Darwinism? What connections can be found between Social Darwinism and the novel "Herland"?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss and describe the women of Herland. What are their defining traits? What do the men assume of the women before they meet them? How do the women surprise the male characters? What are some of the topics or issues which are important to the women? What is their top priority?

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