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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 Francis Fairfax's main occupation?

2. What does Francis Fairfax give his wife when he marries?

3. For how long does Gordon disappear after his wife is gone?

4. What does Lady Fairfax give Francis Fairfax?

5. What does Charles find that he incorporates into his theories about his mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Mr. Rice presented in a less-than-favorable narrative?

2. Who is Audrey, and how does her father treat her?

3. Describe the interaction between Gordon and his two young children after Gordon returns from the woods.

4. What do the neighbors think of the new baby in the Fairfax household?

5. How does Vinny treat the children?

6. What are the signs that Vinny is a poor caregiver for the children?

7. How does Debbie explain the raw meat on the table one morning?

8. How does Isobel come to find a single, unusual shoe in Vinny's closet and what is Vinny's reaction?

9. What does Francis Fairfax give his new wife and what happens to the present?

10. What are the circumstances surrounding Charlotte's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many authors if queried would admit that they have an agenda for writing a particular novel. Discuss the following:

1. Define and give examples of the concept of "author agenda."

2. Do you think Atkinson has an agenda in mind when she writes "Human Croquet"?

3. What do you think would be Atkinson's agenda(s) (if she has one)? Give examples to illustrate how the agenda is fulfilled.

4. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

5. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

Essay Topic 2

Melinda is sixteen when the novel opens. Discuss the following:

1. What are some ways that Melinda seems like an average sixteen year old? Give examples and why you say the activities are average teen activities.

2. What are some ways that Isobel seems older than her age of 16? Give specific examples and discuss whether they seem consistent with the character of Isobel as she is developed throughout the book.

3. Is it realistic to think Isobel could handle the situations that arise in the novel alone? Where do you think Isobel could have turned to for help?

Essay Topic 3

Any work of fiction has some similarities, yet the structure can engender differences. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss the structure of "Human Croquet" and how it informs the plot.

2. Why do you think Atkinson chooses to structure "Human Croquet" the way she does? Give examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Many readers love novels and are indifferent to short stories, and vice versa. Discuss why you think some readers would enjoy one format over another?

4. Choose a short story or play and compare it to "Human Croquet" as far as how structure affects the reading experience.

(see the answer keys)

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