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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. Why does Lady Margaret kill herself?

2. Who is lodging with the Fairfaxes?

3. Who is one of Eliza's clients when she works as a prostitute?

4. What does Maude name her baby?

5. Where is Gordon headed when this chapter opens?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Isobel say about Eunice?

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

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

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

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

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

7. What does Isobel experience at Hilary's party?

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

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

10. What smell does Isobel awaken to and what does she notice?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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