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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. How many babies has Maude lost?

2. What does Charlotte advice Gordon about the situation with Eliza?

3. What does Isobel wonder about Mr. Baxter?

4. What does Violet Angela tell Maude Violet does regularly?

5. What happens to Malcolm's car?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Isobel say about Audrey?

2. What is related about Sir Francis Fairfax and his new wife?

3. Who is having breakfast when Isobel goes downstairs and how is everyone at the breakfast table?

4. When does Isobel awake from her coma, and what does she learn about why she is in the hospital?

5. What is the time and purpose of this chapter?

6. How is it revealed that the lock of hair Charles supposedly has belongs to Eliza?

7. What does Isobel say about Charles?

8. How does Maude Potter finally get a baby and what does she name the baby?

9. What impressions does Isobel have about where she is at the end of this chapter?

10. How does Gordon clarify his statement about the death of Eliza?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation whereby Hilary and Isobel eventually become good friends. Discuss two other incidences of irony in "Human Croquet".

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use of and meaning of five symbols found in "Human Croquet".

3. Discuss the use of foreshadowing in literature. What is the purpose of foreshadowing? Cite 3 examples of foreshadowing and how it is used to indicate events to come in "Human Croquet".

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

Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss the character of Isobel. What are her strengths? Weaknesses? How does she evolve over the course of the story? Is she likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Do you think she is a protagonist or antagonist? Why

2. Thoroughly discuss the character Charles. What are his strengths? Weaknesses? How does he evolve over the course of the story? (or does he?) Is he likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Is he trustworthy? Wise? Would you want him as a friend? As an enemy?

3. Thoroughly discuss two other characters of your choosing. What are their strengths? Weaknesses? How do they evolve over the course of the story? (or do they?) Are they likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Are they trustworthy? Wise? Would you want them as friends? Are they likely to be enemies?

(see the answer keys)

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