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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 the reporter lend Joan plane fare?

2. Why won't Joan write any more Costume Gothics?

3. Who is arrested for murder?

4. What does Joan plan to steal?

5. Who are the four women Felicia meets in the maze?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of love does Royal Porcupine express for Joan?

2. How does Joan deal with her belief that she is being held captive?

3. How does Joan react when she reads the newspaper clippings that Sam sends her?

4. What piece of evidence leads to Sam and Marlene's arrest?

5. How does Joan take responsibility for her actions when she hears about Sam's arrest?

6. Why does the presence of the strange man who talks with her landlord spur Joan to action?

7. What is the significance of the discovery of Joan's buried clothes?

8. What role does the picnicking family play in Joan's plan to disappear?

9. Why does Joan feel she needs to disappear again?

10. How does Joan's affair with Royal Porcupine affect her stability?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Joan's relationship with her mother continues after her death through dreams and astral images. Describe two important scenes when Joan's mother appears and discuss their relevance to Joan's growth and self-acceptance.

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?

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