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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 does Grace Stepney do in her anger about the party?

2. In book 1, chapter 10, where does Simon Rosedale invite Lily to go?

3. Why is Lily Bart waiting for a train when she is first introduced in the book?

4. What does Lily actually do with the letters she acquired from Mrs. Haffen, Lawrence Selden's cleaning lady?

5. What is Lily wondering about the night before she intends to go to Sunday morning church services with Percy Gryce?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn't Lily use the letters she acquired from Mrs. Haffen to get back at Bertha Dorset?

2. Explain Lily's dilemma regarding Lawrence Selden and Simon Rosedale.

3. Why does Lily turn down Carry Fischer's offer to care for the Welly Brys?

4. What are Nettie Struther's feelings toward Lily?

5. What three options does Lily have regarding her debt to Gus Trenor?

6. In book 1, chapter 10, why does Lily donate money to the charity Gerty Farish tells her about?

7. How does Lily react after Mrs. Trenor talks to her about Bertha Dorset in book 1, chapter 7?

8. In book 2, chapter 3, why is Lawrence Selden afraid for Lily's safety regarding Bertha Dorset?

9. In book 2, chapter 9, how does Lawrence Selden react when Lily reprimands him for not visiting her sooner than he did?

10. Why does Lily envy Lawrence Selden's lifestyle?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain why The House of Mirth is called "a novel of manners." Give examples from the story.

Essay Topic 2

At the end of The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton leaves the cause of Lily's death, accidental overdose, or suicide, unresolved in the reader's mind. Which cause of death do you believe the author was hinting at? Why? What clues does the author give that shows she is hinting at the answer to Lily's death?

Essay Topic 3

Answer all parts.

Why did Edith Wharton choose The House of Mirth for the title of the novel?

1) Give examples from the book that explain the title.

2) Do you think the title fits the book? Why or why not?

3) If you could give the book a different title, what would it be? Give reasons for your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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