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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 relationship has piqued Lady Fairfax's curiosity?

2. What happens to Malcolm's car?

3. Who does Lady Margaret say is responsible for some bruises on her?

4. What has Gordon been doing at the opening of this chapter?

5. What do Vinny and Charlotte think of Eliza before they meet her?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Gordon meet Eliza?

2. What happens to Lady Margaret and Master Shakespeare?

3. What does Isobel learn about several of the people in her circle of friends or acquaintances?

4. What does Isobel say about Charles?

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

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

7. What does Isobel do with Malcolm in Hilary's bedroom?

8. What does Isobel say about Audrey?

9. How does Malcolm die this time in Isobel's "vision"?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "Human Croquet". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of individual freedom in the story. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess individual freedom? Why? Why is individual freedom more difficult to obtain for some characters than other ones?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of abuse in "Human Croquet". Which characters are abusive to others, either physically, sexually or emotionally? Which are being abused? What is the response to the abuse of the ones being abused? Why do you think each of the abusers do so?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast Isobel's and Charles' reaction to the disappearance of their mother. How do you think you would have reacted in a similar situation? Explain.

2. Discuss how you would have handled things were you in Isobel at Hilary's party. Do you think she handles the party better or worse than (or about the same) as you? Would you have confided in your someone about the party? Why or why not?

3. Do you think Isobel and Charles should have been taken to a therapist? Why? What do you think the therapists would have said to each of them?

(see the answer keys)

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