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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 performance does Joan remember?

2. What does Joan start writing while living with Paul?

3. Who does Joan like to go to the movies with?

4. What job does Joan take after high school?

5. What title does the publisher give Joan's new book?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Joan Foster's state of mind in Chapter 1.

2. Describe the significance of Aunt Lou's inheritance on Joan's life.

3. Why do the other girls treat Joan badly as they walk home from Brownies every Tuesday?

4. Describe Joan's search for a fresh approach to her writing.

5. Why does Joan bury her clothes?

6. Describe Joan's first encounter with Arthur.

7. Why is Joan's childhood ballet recital such a traumatic experience for her?

8. How does Joan see her father differently after she returns home for the funeral?

9. Describe Leda Sprott's appearance and her significance at Joan's wedding.

10. How does Joan allow Paul to treat her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Joan understands that she is an "escape artist" and that she is happiest when she is in danger. Discuss several instances in the novel when Joan is at her best when in danger. How does her personality change?

Essay Topic 2

Does the ending of the novel suggest that Joan has some hope of retiring her former double life and becoming a person who enters into relationships with honesty? What does Joan's interaction with the reporter in the hospital suggest about how Joan has changed or not?

Essay Topic 3

At the end of Lady Oracle, Joan says she will stop writing romance novels and instead write Science Fiction. Why do you think Joan wants to stop writing romances? Do you think writing romances contributes to Joan's dishonesty? Would she write a good Science Fiction tale? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 872 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample