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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Gerty Farish feel about Lily's trip to Alaska?

2. Why does Lawrence Selden spend so much time working since he visited the Trenor home three months ago?

3. In Carry Fischer's opinion, what will George Dorset do if he finds out his wife is having an affair?

4. What does Gerty Farish tell Ned Silverton's relatives about his relationship with Bertha Dorset?

5. Why does Lily go to Alaska?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Answer all parts.

Edith Wharton ends The House of Mirth with a word left unsaid by both Lawrence Selden and Lily.

1) What do you think that word is? Why? Use examples from the story to explain your answer.

2) If Lawrence Selden and Lily had both been able to say the word to each other, would the ending of the story have been different? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 347 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample