View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What color is Joan's hair in Chapter 1?

2. Who does Joan think stole the first eight pages of her manuscript?

3. What is Arthur protesting in the park?

4. How does Joan view the two types of people in life?

5. When Joan returns to Arthur's flat in England, who is she surprised to see standing in the middle of the parlor?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Joan like to go to the movies with her Aunt Lou?

2. Why does Joan try to stop the publication of Lady Oracle?

3. Describe Joan's first encounter with Arthur.

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

5. What are the implications of Joan sending Arthur a postcard from Rome?

6. How does Joan's mother try to control Joan's weight?

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

8. Describe Arthur's state of mind in Chapter 20.

9. Explain why Joan does not tell her husband Arthur that she writes Costume Gothic novels.

10. How does Joan allow Paul to treat her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the character of Joan's father. What is her relationship with her father and what is his influence on her as a child?

Essay Topic 2

Joan writes romance novels and prefers happy endings, but is dishonest and secretive in her own love life. Discuss how Joan's lies and secrets make positive, loving relationships impossible.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 772 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample