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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. Who moves in with Arthur and Joan?

2. What does Joan want to tell Arthur at the beginning of Chapter 27?

3. Who considers herself an escape artist?

4. Why does Chuck Brewer bring Joan a hat?

5. Where do Joan and Royal Porcupine like to eat?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How is the final chapter a resolution to Joan's lies and secrets?

3. Who is Fraser Buchanan?

4. How do people in town respond when they see Joan?

5. Why does Royal Porcupine believe his art exhibit is important?

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

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

8. Describe Joan's inconsistent behavior with the Resurgent group.

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

10. In Chapter 31, how is it clear that Joan is beginning to unravel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What kind of person is Aunt Lou? How does she act as a positive role model for Joan? Does Joan ever act in ways that remind you of Aunt Lou? Provide specific examples from the text to support your responses.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Why can't Joan confront Marlene about their past encounters? Why does she hide in the ladies' room? Are there other examples in the novel where Joan responds in a similar manner? What does this suggest about Joan's character?

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