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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. Where is Isobel going?

2. What is Lady Margaret's relationship to Sir Francis?

3. Who is the person sitting next to Gordon?

4. Who is Renee?

5. Who visits Isobel in the hospital in the beginning of Chapter XII?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Isobel say about Eunice?

2. How does Lady Fairfax end up being with Robert Kavanagh?

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

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

5. What happens to Lady Margaret and Master Shakespeare?

6. How does Gordon meet Eliza?

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

8. What does Herbert do to Violet Angela, and what is Maude's response to Violet's telling her about Herbert?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often titles reveal much about one or more aspects of a novel. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think is the purpose of a title? How closely related to a major theme(s) of a book do you think a title should be? Or should it be?

2. The phrase "Human Croquet" appears several times in the book. Discuss that theme and how it is related to the title.

3. If you were the writer of "Human Croquet" and your editor says the title must be changed, what would you choose? Why?

4. How do you feel when you have finished reading a book, and you still do not understand the meaning of the title in relation to the book?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Human Croquet". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Atlkinson chooses the symbols she does? Do you think Atkinson consciously decides upon the symbols to represent various elements of "Human Croquet"? Why or why not.

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Atkinson chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Atkinson's use (or lack ) of literary devices (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Atkinson use too many or too little literary techniques? State to which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 3

"Human Croquet" ends on a somewhat positive note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are at least three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Human Croquet" and if it fulfills some or all of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Human Croquet" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

4. Would you have wished the ending to be different? Why or why not? Would that have changed what the author wished to convey with the book?

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