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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 is Lily concerned about at the beginning of chapter 2, book 1?

2. What hobby of Percy Gryce's does Lily discuss with him while on the train to the party at Bellomont?

3. In book 1, chapter 5, why does Lily waste time once she is outside after leaving the library?

4. What problem might Lily have as shown by the results of her activities the first night of the party?

5. Why does Lily go to Gerty Farish's apartment after her confrontation with Gus Trenor at his house?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Lily believe Gerty Farish will provide for her when she goes to Gerty's apartment after she argues with Gus Trenor?

3. In book 1, chapter 8, how does Lily describe Gerty Farish?

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

5. In book 2, chapter 10, what is Lily's outlook on life now that she no longer has her social status?

6. In book 1, chapter 11, what does Grace Stepney tell her aunt about Lily?

7. What does Gerty Farish advise Lily to do regarding the situation in Monte Carlo?

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

9. In book 2, chapter 7, what is Simon Rosedale's explanation to Lily for his refusal to marry her?

10. In book 1, chapter 10, why does Lily continue her arrangement with Gus Trenor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Name the characters - other than the main character - that are important to the story. Why is each character important? What does each character represent in the story?

Essay Topic 2

In The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton criticizes the relationships women have with each other because they are competitive and mean. Choose a relationship between two women in The House of Mirth that best exemplifies the competitive and mean spirit criticized by the author. Explain why you chose this particular relationship.

Essay Topic 3

Explain one of the following themes as it is developed in The House of Mirth. Use examples from the story to explain your answer.

1) Lily's use of beauty as wealth and to gain wealth.

2) Lily's inability to judge what is appropriate and what is not in her relationships with men.

(see the answer keys)

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