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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 Charles find that he incorporates into his theories about his mother?

2. What does the Fairfax family buy in the 20th century?

3. What does Eliza do when she goes into labor with Isobel?

4. Why do the Baxters call their home "Sithean"?

5. Why is Malcolm's mother disappointed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Isobel observe on a visit to the Baxters in autumn?

2. Who is Francis Fairfax, and what does the narrator write about him?

3. How do Isobel and Charles find their mother and what do they do?

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

5. What business does Charlotte run and what are her long term intentions?

6. What does Isobel think she sees Mr. Rice doing and what is the outcome?

7. What does Isobel "see" in the time wrap she experiences in this chapter?

8. How do Charlotte and Vinny treat Eliza and what is her response?

9. What does Isobel, the narrator at the beginning of the novel, discuss in the first part of the novel?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Human Croquet".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Human Croquet". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Human Croquet". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 2

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 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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