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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 has Evie gone for her model shoot?

2. Why is Shannon uncomfortable with the conversation?

3. How does Shannon describe her behavior throughout the accident and hospital stay?

4. Who is left to distract the realtor while Brandy and Shannon go upstairs?

5. How does the doctor describe Shannon's wound?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe briefly the opening scene of the novel.

2. What is Brandy's final request to Shannon before she dies?

3. Why is Shannon angry when we sees herself, Manus, and Evie in the infomercial?

4. What philosophy does Brandy Alexander have that Shannon finds attractive?

5. What is Seth's theory about television?

6. What happens on the day that Shannon's bandages are removed when she visits the grocery store?

7. What subject is Evie most interested in during the pretend dramas she enacts with Shannon at the department store?

8. Why does Brandy make Rona Barrett her new Supreme Being?

9. Why have Brandy and her comrades come to the open house?

10. What causes Shannon's disfigurement?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Brandy is inspired by Miss Rona's idea of ripping yourself open and sewing yourself shut. What exactly does Miss Rona say needs to be done? Why is Brandy inspired by her ordeal? How has Miss Rona's ordeal been reflected in Brandy? How has it reflectedd in Shannon or Evie? Has Miss Rona escaped the societal trap of sameness?

Essay Topic 2

Shannon's final act is to give Brandy her identity. Why does Shannon choose to do this? What does this action mean for Shannon? What does this action mean for Brandy? Why does Shannon, after the huge adventure she has just had with her brother, need to leave him and never look back? How does the idea of an invisible monster drive her to this point? Why has Shane chosen to look exactly like Shannon in his new life? Do either of these characters find redemption?

Essay Topic 3

The novel makes use of different stereotypes are archetypes for some of the characters such as the model, the drag queen, and even the Texas oil princess. Choose three stereotypes and unpack their roles in the novel. To which characters do these stereotypes apply? Do they apply to multiple characters? How does the use of stereotypes contribute to the central theme of the novel? Do the stereotyped characters undergo any changes or are they static, remaining the same from start to finish?

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